Licence fees to be set at end of year

Pubs will probably have to wait until the end of the year before they know how much they will pay in annual licence fees.

A long-awaited decision on having a single payment date for fees is also not due for several months, after the new licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe promised a "full public consultation" before making an announcement.

In an exclusive interview with the Morning Advertiser, Sutcliffe said the Government will give a response to the Elton Report on fee levels "by the end of the summer",

followed by a consultation.

He said: "We're not going to alter the fees without a full consultation with the industry. This is a very important issue for the pub trade and local authorities so it's important to consider it carefully and not rush out a response."

The consultation is likely to delay the announcement by another few months - perhaps a whole year after the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) received the Elton Report back in November 2006.

The delay raises fears that fees may be pushed higher than the 7% recommended by the Elton Report, but sources close to Government are confident that the proposed increase will be acceptable.

British Beer & Pub Association director of pubs and leisure Martin Rawlings said: "The Elton Report recommended a 7% increase to last for three years. We see no reason to consult on this since the work of the independent panel has been done in this regard."

On the issue of a single payment date for licence fees, Rawlings commented: "We cannot understand why it

has taken so long to consider this matter."

l Sutcliffe interview - p4