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The late night levy, introduced in 2011, is a discretionary tool that local authorities may introduce to assist with the costs associated with premises opening between the hours of 12 am and 6 am and which sell alcohol.

Under section 142 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, several changes to the late night levy were introduced. This will allow licensing authorities the power to apply the levy to late night refreshment premises to assist with the cost of policing the night time economy if they choose to do so and dependent on the outcome of a local consultation.

These changes were not commenced at this time following recommendations from the House of Lords Select Committee which carried out post-legislative scrutiny of the Licensing Act 2003. It requested that the Government delay the commencement of the 2017 Act provisions until they had considered the Committee's recommendations. As a result of these recommendations, the Government committed to consult on the application of the levy to LNR providers prior to commencing the changes that the 2017 Act would make. The consultation was delayed largely due to the pandemic but is now complete. The outcome of the public consultation was to give local authorities the option to offer a 30% reduction to late night refreshment providers that qualify for small business rate relief. This reduction is already available in relation to premises that supply alcohol.

Now that the consultation is complete, we are commencing the wider changes made via the Policing and Crime Act 2017 which will come into effect as of today. These include permitting PCCs the right to request that a licensing authority formally propose a levy and will require licensing authorities to publish information about how the revenue raised from the levy is spent. These changes will make the levy more flexible for local areas, fairer to business and more transparent. The levy will be an optional tool that local authorities can utilise to address alcohol-related crime and disorder.

Updated guidance to reflect the changes will be published on gov.uk.

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The ninth report of the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) was published today. The review body considered the pay and allowances for police officers up to and including the chief officer ranks in England and Wales. The Government thank the Chair and members for their independent and expert advice.

Our police officers work tirelessly to keep this country safe and play a vital role in society. The Government are grateful for their dedication.

The PRRB has recommended a consolidated increase of 7% to all ranks up to and including assistant chief constables and commanders, with a corresponding increase to London weighting and the dog handlers’ allowance; removal of pay point 0 of the constables’ pay scale to bring starting salaries for constables up to £28,551; and an increase to pay point 3 of the chief superintendents’ pay scale by £2,838 from 1 September 2023 and £2,837 from 1 September 2024.1 have accepted these recommendations in full.

The 7% consolidated pay award will support forces to continue to maintain their officer workforce, following the successful recruitment of 20,000 additional officers.

The PRRB considered proposals for a new pay structure for chief constables and deputy chief constables. It recommended it is implemented for new appointments with effect from 1 September 2023, with existing chief constables and deputy chief constables transitioning to the new structure over at least three years. It recommended those transitioning to the new structure receive a pay increase of between 5% and 7%. To ensure the pay differentials between chief constables, deputy chief constables and other chief officer ranks in the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police are maintained, the PRRB further recommended those ranks receive a pay increase of between 5% and 7%.