ACS

20 July 2010

Government has confirmed that the Home Office will take over responsibility for the Licensing Act 2003, which regulates the sale of supply of alcohol in England and Wales. The responsibility shifts away from the Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.

The move which has been expected since the Coalition Government was reformed will bring together the responsibilities for tackling alcohol harm which have been a long standing responsibility of the Home Office and they will now incorporate the separate function for ensuring the effective functioning of the Act that had been the responsibility of DCOMS.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "For some time now, the Home Office has been taking a leading role in alcohol policy, so this merely confirms their primacy in these areas. We have built strong relationships with Home Office Ministers and officials and will continue to make the case for a fair licensing system that supports responsible businesses and tackles problem premises."

The Coalition Government has set out in the ‘Programme for Government’ document plans to change some of the rules related to alcohol licensing. A consultation is expected on these issues at the end of July.