News: Update on Licensing Reform timetable?
- Date: 08/11/2011
- Source: Poppleston Allen
- Author/Solicitor: Jonathan Smith
We may have a clearer indication of when the Government intends to introduce the majority of the licensing provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, following an announcement by James Brokenshire in the House of Commons, that the Government intended to introduce the ban of the below cost sale of alcohol (on the basis of duty plus VAT) on the 6th April 2012. He announced that it would be a new condition contained within the Mandatory Conditions. However, that date may simply coincide with the start of the financial year.
The Government is still struggling with what the 'below cost' should be of alcohol. The current proposal is that it should be VAT together with excise duty, although the Government is currently looking into the possibility of including the cost of production, although how that can be defined is a lawyers' dream.
The best estimate for the introduction of Early Morning Restriction Orders and the Late Night Levy is Autumn / Winter next year. However, it should be noted that the Government has not even started to consult on the regulations yet.
For more information please contact Jonathan Smith
