"We welcome the Government's commitment to toughen the licensing of lap dancing clubs. At present lap dancing clubs are licensed in the same way as cafes and karaoke nights, and local communities are not given a say in whether they can open. Yet lap dancing clubs are part of the commercial sex industry, not the ordinary leisure industry. They fuel a sexist culture of treating women as sex objects.

"The only viable way of giving communities a voice is to license lap dancing clubs as Sex Encounter Establishments - as sex shops and sex cinemas are. This would take power from lap dancing club owners and return it firmly into the hands of local people. But time is of the essence. Lax licensing means lap dancing clubs are opening at an unprecedented rate. Local communities need greater powers, and they need them now."

Sandrine Leveque, Advocacy Officer at Object, said:

"Current licensing has acted like a green light to the industry, with UK lap dancing clubs now numbering at least 300. Local authorities have been powerless to stop the spread and so unable to uphold their responsibilities under the Gender Equality Duty.

"Councils across the country, backed by the Local Government Association, have urged the Government to strengthen their regulatory powers. It is crucial the Government heeds these calls. Doing so will restore democracy to the licensing process and send out a powerful message that buying a lap dance has a far greater social impact than buying a cappuccino."

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