New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed a crackdown on vape shops, funded by business rate cuts for pubs, as part of his Labour government's first major policy move. The government stated that changes will be fully funded by reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops.
Background and Policy Details
Before being replaced by Burnham on Monday, former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had announced that rogue shops would be forced to close under new legislation. The Home Secretary has also instructed officials to urgently review the presence of vape shops, barbers, and car washes on the skilled worker sponsorship list, following concerns about potential misuse of the system. Any businesses found abusing the system will have their licences revoked.
Strengthened Closure Powers
Burnham is overseeing a change to the Crime and Policing Act, which increases the duration of closure notices from 48 hours to 72 hours. This extension gives councils more time to gather evidence and shut down illegal shops for longer periods. Police and local authorities will also receive stronger powers to close rogue businesses as they pursue prosecutions against criminal bosses.
Quotes from Officials
Shabana Mahmood, Birmingham MP and widely anticipated to be Chancellor before Burnham opted for John Healey, said: "High streets across the country have been hijacked by criminal gangs operating in plain sight – running vape stores, dodgy barbers, and nail salons to launder their dirty money. I have launched a nationwide crackdown to raid and close thousands of illegal businesses, arrest bosses and seize their dirty cash. But I will go further – introducing new laws to close these shops for good and put criminal bosses behind bars."
Josh Nicholson, Head of Housing and Communities at the Centre for Social Justice, commented: "For too long, organised criminal gangs have hijacked shopfronts on our high streets and got away with it. These gangs sell illegal tobacco, traffic drugs, and facilitate immigration crime from the heart of our communities, undermining the foundations of safe community life. Enforcement agencies tell us that they need stronger and faster powers to shut down these criminal shops for good. We welcome the Home Secretary’s commitment to strengthening closure orders which will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the organised criminals who operate across Britain’s high streets."
Impact on Pubs and Businesses
The crackdown is designed to fund business rate cuts for pubs, providing savings for the hospitality sector. The government confirmed that the changes will be fully funded through the review of reliefs for businesses like vape shops that do not positively contribute to local communities.
