Overview

This bill mandates annual electrical safety checks for all public houses in England and Wales. It aims to improve safety by ensuring regular inspections and the maintenance of electrical systems in these establishments.

Description

The Public Houses (Electrical Safety) Bill requires the Secretary of State to issue orders under the Licensing Act 2003, mandating electrical safety certificates for public houses. These certificates must confirm that the premises have passed a recent inspection.

The bill specifies requirements for these tests, including qualifications for those conducting them and the roles of licensing authorities in administering and enforcing the system. It also allows for regulations regarding insurance related to these inspections. The standard testing period is one year, but exceptions are made for new buildings, certain building categories as defined by the Secretary of State, or buildings where the licensing authority has discretion on test frequency.

The bill applies only to England and Wales and will come into effect immediately upon its passage.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The costs will likely involve the administrative workload on licensing authorities, potential enforcement actions, and any government support for implementing the new regulations. The overall financial impact is currently unknown.

Groups Affected

• Public House Owners/Operators: Will incur costs for annual electrical safety tests and associated insurance.
• Electrical Inspectors/Contractors: May experience increased demand for their services.
• Licensing Authorities: Will have increased administrative and enforcement responsibilities.
• Insurance Companies: May see changes in their public house insurance offerings.
• Publicans and their Customers: Should benefit from improved electrical safety within public houses.

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