Official: Councils to get liquor licensing

Published: 23 July, 2008

Government committed to reform

Home Office minister Mike O'Brien has confirmed that local authorities would be given control over liquor licensing, following Government reform. He told the Business in Sport and Leisure conference in London that the Government remained wholly committed to reform and to deliver it as soon as possible. He said the Home Office's initial response to the consultation process, following publication of its reform White Paper, could come "within a few weeks". O'Brien said the timetable remained untouched and the measures undiluted. His only caveat was that the need to "get it right" and to consult further would take time. He said the White Paper had produced a detailed response. The majority supported the Government's framework, the only controversial area being who should control the system - local authorities or the courts. He said that the Home Office had not seen any arguments to change its mind that anyone other than local authorities should run the licensing process.

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