Memorandum submitted by the British Beer and Pub Association (PC 54)

 

SUMMARY OF BBPA & HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY STANCE ON THE POLICE & CRIME BILL

 

The BBPA supports those clauses in the Bill that are framed to tackle specific issues of alcohol-related crime (clauses 26, 28, 29, 30). However, we have concerns about those clauses that would impose an increased regulatory burden on the industry and may apply to all licensed premises including tourist venues (clauses 27 and 31). These concerns are heightened by the costs to business associated with these regulations, which have been set out by Government in the Regulatory Impact Assessment. The sector is under severe economic pressure and suffering growing levels of job losses and business closures. We therefore consider the imposition of additional costs at this time to be an unacceptable proposition. The failures these clauses have been designed to tackle are far from widespread or systemic. They would, therefore, be better tackled by using existing powers to place specific conditions on targeted premises under existing legislation.

 

February 2009