The late-night levy lets councils in England and Wales charge premises licensed to sell alcohol late at night a yearly fee towards the cost of policing and managing the night-time economy. It was introduced by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which amended the Licensing Act 2003. Councils choose whether to adopt it and set the hours it applies within the period between midnight and six in the morning. The amount is linked to rateable value bands, and a share goes to the police.
Some councils have adopted and later scrapped it, finding it raised less than hoped and hit small venues hard. Exemptions and reductions can apply, for example to certain types of premises or to members of approved business schemes. Venues can avoid it by applying to reduce their licensed hours before it takes effect. Critics argue it penalises the well-run places while doing little about the problem ones.
What we ask on the show
- Is the late-night levy fair on well-run venues?
- Why have some councils scrapped it?
- Does the money actually make streets safer?
- Should venues cut their hours to avoid it?