Key Facts

• Emma Lewell-Buck's Bill amends section 197 of the Licensing Act 2003.
• Current licensing hour extension applications cost £21 each and take a minimum of five working days to be approved.
• Orders for relaxing licensing hours are subject to affirmative procedure, requiring approval in both Houses of Parliament.
• The British Beer and Pub Association predicts up to 6.8 million pints sold during one game; missed out on 1.7 million pints due to timing constraints last summer.
• The hospitality industry lost £200 million daily during the pandemic.
• There are over 220,000 licensed premises in England and Wales.
• The industry employs approximately 500,000 people in pubs and bars.
• Section 197 of the Licensing Act 2003 requires approval by both Houses of Parliament and public consultation for relaxation orders.
• A full public consultation last year had a very low response rate.
• Pubs, bars, and restaurants missed out on serving during major events due to lengthy administrative processes.
• The hospitality sector suffered from rising energy costs, recruitment issues, the pandemic, and cost of living pressures.
• Sporting events like Euro 2020 and women's world cup final can bring significant economic benefits to the industry.
• The Bill maintains safeguards including the option for consultation if needed.
• Licensing Act 2003 already allows for Secretary of State to make orders that relax licensing hours for significant events.
• These extensions have been used sparingly in the last decade, such as for royal weddings and sporting events like the FIFA World Cup and Euros final.
• The Bill proposes amending the Act so orders are subject to negative resolution procedure, enabling quicker implementation at short notice.