Newcastle Labour has raised serious concerns over the decision to scrap the city’s Late Night Levy, warning that vital community safety initiatives could be put at risk without guaranteed long-term funding.
The levy, introduced in 2013, has raised more than £3 million to support initiatives including additional police patrols, taxi marshals, CCTV, the Safe Haven van and work to prevent violence against women and girls.
The decision also raises serious questions about who will now foot the bill for keeping Newcastle’s nightlife safe. The Late Night Levy ensured that profit-making businesses, including large venues such as casinos, contributed towards the additional costs associated with the night-time economy. The charge only applied to businesses licensed to sell alcohol after midnight, with fees graduated according to their size. Scrapping the levy risks shifting these costs from businesses onto ordinary Newcastle council tax payers. The scheme also offered discounts to businesses that participated in staff training to identify and support vulnerable people, providing an important incentive to improve safety. That incentive has now been lost, alongside a dedicated source of funding for measures that help keep people safe on a night out.
At Wednesday’s meeting of Newcastle City Council, Labour Group Leader Councillor Ged Bell challenged the Liberal Democrat-led administration over the future of these services.
While recognising the financial pressures facing hospitality businesses, Councillors Ged Bell and Stephen Lambert abstained on the motion, raising concerns about the lack of long-term guarantees.
Under the new arrangements, NE1 Ltd will administer a replacement safety fund, expected to provide £216,000. However, funding has only been guaranteed for the next 12 months, with no firm commitment for future years.
Councillor Bell also called for organisations working to prevent violence against women and girls to be represented on the new governance board, for the impact of the decision to be scrutinised by the full City Council, and for assurances that police resources would not be diverted away from residential communities.
Councillor Ged Bell, Leader of Newcastle Labour Group, said:
“Newcastle has a fantastic night-time economy, and we recognise the financial pressures facing hospitality businesses. But supporting businesses and keeping people safe must go hand in hand.
“Over many years, Newcastle has developed effective preventative services, particularly those protecting women and girls. We cannot allow that work to be lost.
“The council’s report says replacement funding is ‘expected’ to remain at the same level. Expected isn’t good enough. We need firm guarantees about future funding, proper representation for community safety organisations and assurances that neighbourhood policing won’t suffer.”
Labour’s Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, has also expressed disappointment at the decision and called for urgent long-term funding guarantees.
She warned that without a sustainable funding plan, additional police resources and victim support services could be placed at risk.
Susan said: “While I am pleased to hear there is guaranteed funding from the Council and NE1 for the year ahead – the question remains – then what?”
She has called for a written commitment to protect the successful partnership work that has helped keep Newcastle’s streets safe.
Newcastle Labour believes that supporting hospitality businesses and protecting public safety should never be competing priorities.
With the levy now abolished, Labour will continue to hold the Liberal Democrat-led administration to account, demanding long-term funding, protection for neighbourhood policing and proper scrutiny of the decision.
Newcastle deserves a thriving night-time economy, but never at the expense of the safety of residents, workers and visitors.