Licensing Hours Extension Bill
Friday 17th January 2025
(9 months, 2 weeks ago)
Commons ChamberLicensing Hours Extensions Bill 2024-26 Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew Ranger (Wrexham) (Lab)
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to stand before the House to bring forward a Bill that makes an amendment to the Licensing Act 2003 that will support our vibrant hospitality sector and help our communities come together to celebrate momentous moments in our national life. I am sure I can add a few more puns to our deliberations today. The Bill will do that by changing the procedure for licensing hours extensions in England and Wales, so that the measures are subject to the negative procedure rather than the affirmative procedure, as is currently the case.
Before proceeding in more detail, I want to pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) who brought forward a similar Bill in the previous Parliament. It enjoyed wide support across the House, only for it to fall when Parliament was dissolved for the general election. I am pleased to be carrying forward the work that she started. I would also like to thank everyone who supported the Bill, particularly those who have come to the House today and all those who attended my drop-in last week, in collaboration with the British Beer and Pub Association and UKHospitality.
It is important to start talking about our pubs and hospitality industry, something I can claim to know a thing or two about having had a 30-year career in it before coming to this place. Pubs and other venues are so much more than just businesses. They are often a focal point of our communities, from one generation to the next, and where we gather for life’s big and small moments. They are also fundamental to community cohesion. Two thirds of adults believe that our local pubs are vital to combatting loneliness and social isolation, according to a survey by YouGov in 2024.
It will come as a surprise to no one that I believe it is in Wrexham where the finest pubs and beers can be found. In no particular order, there are great pubs such as Saith Seren, the Acton Park, the Nags Head, the Red Lion in Marchwiel, the Crown in Llay, the Quarry Arms, the Buck in Bangor on Dee, the Cunliffe Arms, the George and Dragon in Brymbo, the Golden Lion in Coedpoeth and the Kings Mill. I will stop there.
Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab)
I am delighted to hear that my hon. Friend will now have, I think, at least 12 free drinks in his constituency! Does he agree with me about the importance of community-owned and operated pubs, and the additional social value they can provide to local communities and groups?
Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)
Order. Before Mr Ranger returns to his feet, I should obviously reference all the fantastic pubs in Sussex Weald!
Andrew Ranger
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and thank him for that intervention. I get the feeling we are going to hear a lot of pub names today. I named just a few of the 78 pubs that span my constituency. I will not comment on how many of them I have personally visited, possibly more than once.
Hospitality is also vital to tourism in Wrexham. It contributes nearly £120 million to our local economy, and I know that that will be similarly true in other Members’ constituencies. Since the arrival of two well-known Hollywood actors in Wrexham, we have welcomed visitors from far afield, eager to see the home of Wrexham AFC at the world-famous Racecourse Ground and, of course, to be pulled a pint by landlord Wayne at the Turf—there is another one. Accommodating the recent influx of visitors would never have been possible without pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels stepping up to the plate. I know that that is the case across Britain, where dedicated staff work hard to deliver great service, food and drink to customers. I thank them for all they do, all year round.
Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 provides the ability for the Home Secretary to make an order extending licensing hours on a blanket basis, thereby allowing all licensed premises to open for longer at moments of important celebration.
Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)
The Daily Telegraph recently visited my constituency to interview people to report on the status and progress of the new Labour Government. This piece was largely conducted by interviewing people residing within, or emerging from, the Moon Under the Water public house on Watford High Street. Has my hon. Friend considered the implications of these proposals on the ability to do such easy journalism in constituencies such as mine?
Andrew Ranger
I had not considered that, but my hon. Friend makes a valid point.
Measures to extend hours provide the additional benefit of boosting the hospitality sector. Blanket licensing hours extensions introduced by the Secretary of State mean that businesses do not have to apply for individual extensions, should they wish to stay open longer to celebrate a particular event. Under normal circumstances, venues have to apply for a temporary event notice, which costs £21 for an application and involves considerable administrative work. The Bill will have the twofold impact of saving businesses time and money and meaning that local licensing authorities avoid the strain of being required to process large numbers of individual applications, possibly at very late notice.
Licensing hours extensions in England and Wales have been implemented on occasions, including royal weddings and jubilees and major sporting events, such as when the England men’s football squad reached the finals of the Euros in 2020 and 2024. These events bring us together to share in these occasions, whether that is their joy, the perhaps inevitable trauma when England lose on penalties again, or the anticipated jubilation when Wales reach the world cup final or when Wrexham reach the FA cup final. There is generally less of an urgent issue with royal events, for which more notice is generally available. The situation is much more complicated with sporting events, when there can be only a few days’ notice of a team reaching a semi-final or final. Unfortunately, that has led to significant occasions where it has not been possible for the Government to extend licensing hours.
Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)
As we are in the business of name-checking, I am delighted to say that after a period of lamentable closure, the Half Moon and Seven Stars in Preston, the village I live in, will be reopening its doors at 5 o’clock tonight, celebrating, I think, Pubs Day today—neither the hon. Gentleman nor I will be there, unfortunately. More seriously, the implications of this Bill are considerable for an industry that has been under great pressure for a long time, particularly since covid. Is it not the case that it is extraordinary that these hoops have to be jumped through to do what most people would regard as normal and sensible?
Andrew Ranger
I agree 100% with the right hon. Member. What he raises is what the Bill seeks to deal with, basically. I join him in celebrating the reopening of the pub in the area where he lives.
There have been times when the Government have not been able to extend licensing hours for significant occasions, because the required secondary legislation is subject to the affirmative procedure, which means that both Houses of Parliament need to approve the measure following a debate. As such, if Parliament is in recess, it is simply not possible to introduce such measures. A recent instance of that was when the Lionesses reached the final of the world cup in August 2023, during a parliamentary recess. That meant it was not possible for the Government to extend the hours for that momentous match. As a result, pubs and hospitality venues missed out on an historic and unforgettable occasion.
With the continued sporting success of our national teams on the world stage, my hope is that we will see more occasions in the near future where the need for such measures arises, including such events as the upcoming FIFA men’s world cup in 2026 in North America, the 2027 rugby world cup in Australia, the FIFA women’s world cup in 2027 in Brazil, and the International Cricket Council T20 world cup in 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. In the interests of parliamentary sportsmanship, we all want to see successes for our Scottish and Northern Irish teams, too.
I am sure that Members across the House will recognise the tough hand that the pubs and hospitality sector has been dealt over recent years. At the end of July 2024, the total number of licensed premises in Britain was just 99,000, some 45,000 of which were pubs. The number of licensed premises has plummeted by 30% over the past 20 years, and we have lost 25% of pubs since 2003. We should use our role as parliamentarians in this place, and the opportunities that affords us, to speak on behalf of the industry, and it is for that reason that I believe it is important that we are here today. Hospitality is crucial for not only local economies, but local opportunity. The sector supports more than 1 million jobs and provides great career opportunities and flexible working in all parts of the UK. I know from first-hand experience that somebody can go from washing pots to running the place.
I take this opportunity to address any concerns that Members may have about any reduction in parliamentary scrutiny. In the past, these orders have attracted no controversy or dissent, and I expect that to remain the case. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any hon. Members objecting to an extension of licensing hours for, say, a royal wedding. For that reason, I believe that the negative resolution procedure is entirely appropriate. Let me be clear that this Bill does not take away the right to seek a debate. If any Members of the House or the other place objected to a certain extension, they would still have the ability to pray against it.
I also reassure the House that this amendment to the parliamentary process is the only change that this Bill seeks to make. It does not change the fundamental mechanics of how licensing hours extensions operate and are decided on. They will still be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of State and will be introduced only if the event in question is
“an occasion of exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
The word “exceptional” is important here. The Bill also does not alter the process for temporary event notices.
I believe that the Bill speaks for itself. It is a small amendment to the Licensing Act that will have a big effect by allowing for more efficient use of Parliament’s valuable time. It is a simple but significant measure, and I am grateful to all colleagues for their support today and in the lead-up to this debate. Let us raise a glass to our pubs and hospitality industry. I commend the Bill to the House.
Mr Richard Holden (Basildon and Billericay) (Con)
I will try to be brief. I thank the hon. Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) for bringing forward this important Bill. Pubs are incredibly important places for more than just enjoying a drink: they are at the heart of local communities up and down the country and bring people together in a truly unique way, which is ever more important in this modern world. The sector is also an integral part of our cultural heritage and a significant contributor to our economy, with almost 1 million people working in it.
Like the hon. Gentleman, I started my working life in licensed premises. From traditional pubs in Basildon and Billericay, such as the Chequers on Billericay High Street, to the more modern Beehive in Basildon, the bar at the Laindon Community Centre and the taproom at the Billericay Brewery, local pubs across our communities come in all shapes and sizes. Hard-working landlords, owners and staff make these local institutions what they are.
Our pubs have faced a tough time. During the last Parliament, I won the parliamentarian of the year award from the all-party parliamentary beer group for my work to push forward on the draught beer duty relief. This Bill is another small but important step to help our pubs. It is limited and sensible, and simplifying the process to allow pubs to open for key moments that bind our country together, whether it is a national celebration, a sporting event or a royal wedding, is a sensible step forward.
There are obviously bigger factors to decide whether pubs in this country stay open—this is not the day to go into VAT, national insurance and so on—but, through this Bill, the hon. Member for Wrexham presents the House with a real opportunity to make a meaningful difference and support our pubs in an immediate and practical way for the future. The Licensing Hours Extensions Bill is a targeted measure to allow pubs to remain open during those moments that can really instil national pride in our country and bring us together in our public houses. Let us support it and work towards a thriving and resilient pub sector.
Gill German (Clwyd North) (Lab)
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) on his private Member’s Bill, and I am proud to be a named supporter.
As a Welsh MP, I know that few things unite Welsh people like supporting our rugby and football teams, and love for our local pubs runs deep. Places such as the Mayquay in Kinmel bay, the Mason’s Arms in Denbigh and the Station in Colwyn bay are vibrant hubs of our communities, and they bring people together during moments of national significance. This Bill builds on that important role by ensuring that communities can gather for major events, while boosting local economies. I am sure that we have all heard from the hospitality sector in our constituencies about the challenges they have faced, particularly in recent years.
The hospitality industry is a fundamental part of Welsh culture, and it is vital to the economy of Clwyd North. However, pubs are closing at concerning rates across the UK, with the number of licensed premises down by 30% since 20 years ago. More needs to be done to encourage tourism in smaller pockets of the country, such as mine. In my view, supporting our pubs is a crucial step.
This Bill would bring together locals and visitors in north Wales during significant national sporting events, be they football, rugby or something else. I am proud to champion Welsh rugby union games at Parc Eirias in my constituency. I believe it is vital that we support such games in north Wales, and this Bill allows us more opportunity to celebrate successes together locally.
To be clear, this Bill is not about diminishing local authority control; it is about ensuring fairness and efficiency when large-scale events call for a national approach. Coming from a local authority background, I know that the provisions in the Bill would ease the pressures on councils and their licensing committees. It is a common-sense proposal that will unite communities, bolster the hospitality sector and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. I urge Members from across the House to back this Bill.
Claire Hughes (Bangor Aberconwy) (Lab)
I am absolutely delighted to support this Bill, which has been brought forward by my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger). He is a great champion of pubs and of the hospitality trade in our communities in north Wales.
As a member of the all-party parliamentary group for beer and the APPG for hospitality and tourism, I am very well aware of the vital role that pubs play in our local economies. In my constituency of Bangor Aberconwy, we are proud to have 119 pubs and three breweries. Like my hon. Friend, I have not visited all of them yet, but I am dedicated to working on it.
Pubs in Bangor Aberconwy support 2,000 local jobs, many of which are filled by young people getting their first taste of the world of work and learning valuable life skills, so it is my turn to do some name-checking. Pubs such as the Union in Bangor, the Albion in Conwy and the King’s Head in Llandudno play a vital role in our communities by bringing people together over a pint, and no more so than during national sporting events.
The 5 June 2022 was a very special night. It was the night that Gareth Bale scored a 34th-minute screamer to secure Wales’s place in the world cup finals for the first time since 1958. My whole family watched that match, and it was absolutely brilliant. There were Wales flags and kids everywhere, and, when he scored, there was beer everywhere too—I will never forget it. Although my national team’s fortunes might have taken a bit of a turn since then, I hope that the Bill will make it easier for pubs and clubs across Wales to bring people together all over again to watch Wales in the world cup finals in the USA in 2026. I thought that I might be pushing my luck with that, but given that my hon. Friend mentioned it, I think he will agree that it would be an event of exceptional national significance, which we would all want to support.
In all seriousness, this Bill will make it easier for pubs to bring people together, celebrate national events, support the sector and streamline the process, while staying true to the spirit of the Licensing Act. I sincerely hope that Members on both sides of the House will join me in supporting the Bill.
Mike Reader (Northampton South) (Lab)
Northampton has a fantastic and varied hospitality sector, and this Bill will support local businesses across Northampton South. There are over 30 pubs in my constituency alone, and they employ nearly 1,500 people. I have been very fortunate to visit a number of them over the years, and I have now visited many on constituency visits, including the Deers Leap in Bellinge, which is the last community pub in the Eastern district; the Pomfret Arms, which has just reopened after being closed due to some disastrous flooding on the River Nene; the Britannia, where I pulled my first pint on camera—I think it is safe to say I will never make a good barman—and the White Hart in Great Houghton, which is part of the Everards brewery group. I started my career in construction by working for Pick Everard, which is owned by the Everard family, so the group is close to my heart.
Northampton is also home to a number of breweries: famously, Carlsberg—served here in the House—but also Phipps brewery, which serves pubs across our region. While I am talking about the pubs that will benefit from this Bill, I should give special mention to my local, the Artizan, which resides just over the border in the neighbouring constituency of my hon. Friend Member for Northampton North (Lucy Rigby).
The Bill may sound technical to my constituents, but at its heart it is about something far more important. The minor amendments proposed will mean that, whether Parliament is sitting or not, a decision can be made nationally to change licensing hours. As has been noted, it will enable hours to be changed during major sporting events, which is great news for the thousands of rugby and football fans in my town who follow Saints and Cobblers players when they are called up for national duty.
Linsey Farnsworth (Amber Valley) (Lab)
We heard that licensing hours could not be extended for the Lionesses game because Parliament was not sitting. Does my hon. Friend agree that the changes in the Bill will give us the flexibility to ensure that, on such occasions, fans will be able watch games while supporting our pubs? We also have an opportunity today to progress legislation on the safety of fans in another way; my Bill is no. 15 on the list, and it would legislate to prevent—
Mike Reader
I am looking forward to my hon. Friend’s Bill—a much-needed piece of legislation.
The British Beer and Pub Association backs this change to the law because it knows that the industry needs it. And as a proud member, along with others in the House, of the all-party parliamentary beer group and the all-party parliamentary group for hospitality and tourism, I know that we need it, too. The Bill is about helping our pubs and communities to continue the proud tradition of celebrating British success together, and I fully support it.
Nesil Caliskan (Barking) (Lab)
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) for introducing the Bill—a small change, but one that will make a big difference to our communities. There are a few principal reasons why I support it. First, as others have said, it allows us to bring communities together at moments of national importance, making it a common-sense change that our communities would welcome. In many instances, they cannot believe the process that exists at the moment. Constituents across the country—certainly mine—would welcome this relatively minor change so that they can come together, support their local hospitality spots and mark those occasions.
Secondly, it will have a material positive impact on our local hospitality sector—pubs, but also restaurants and cafes. Our local businesses, particularly small businesses, seek flexibility above everything else, so that they can adapt and take up any opportunity for further income. They also want to play a part in our high streets and town centres. The change will bring that flexibility. I have 65 different hospitality spots in my constituency, which employ almost 1,000 people and make a contribution of more than £50 million. These small steps can make a big difference to them, and I am pleased to support them.
Finally, the Bill will relieve pressure on overstretched local authorities up and down the country. Councils talk about the burden of red tape, not just for local businesses but for themselves. The Bill will ensure not only that parliamentary time is spent well, but that existing pressures on council are relieved. For that reason, I very much support the Bill.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
It is a pleasure to speak in this debate, and I thank the hon. Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) for introducing the Bill today. I also commend the hon. Member for South Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) who led a version of the Bill in the previous Parliament before untimely events curtailed its progress. Speaking of untimely events, I think we can all agree on the collective disappointment when a pub is closed for or unable to show an important sporting event. I am sure hospitality venues up and down the country will welcome this legislation as providing certainty that they will be able to open for significant events.
At this point I must declare an interest as a regular patron of Stockton West’s pubs. We have some of the best—no, the best—pubs in the country, and I know that they always welcome the opportunity to stay open a little later when circumstances allow. As mentioned already, when the England women’s football team progressed to England’s first world cup final since 1966, the request to extend licensing hours came in late and during a parliamentary recess, which made it impossible to grant the request, denying many businesses the opportunity to extend their licences and many punters the chance to gather and show their early-morning support. Ensuring that the Government can make the change swiftly while retaining the necessary safeguards is a sensible and measured approach. I hope it will resolve the issues that Governments have faced in the past and allow changes to be made when needed.
It may be unlikely, but I remain hopeful that one day the mighty Stockton Town will take advantage of those changes with a future appearance, late in the evening, in a champions league final. While I might have to wait a while for that, in the meantime I express our support for the change and look forward to taking advantage of it during the next international tournament.
The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
I feel quite intoxicated by the number of local licensed premises that have been mentioned this morning. It must have set some sort of record. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) on his success in the ballot for private Members’ Bills—in the 20 years I have been a Member I have never had any success in it. I also congratulate him on his decision to pick this worthwhile topic as the subject for his Bill and I recognise his long career in the hospitality sector, as well as his clear expertise in the area. I am also incredibly impressed by the detailed knowledge Members have of licensed premises in their constituencies. I note the mention of the all-party parliamentary group on beer, which is obviously an important group and has a large and thriving membership.
I am grateful for the contributions of other hon. Members to the debate. I note the contributions from the right hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay (Mr Holden), who I think it is fair to say has a great deal of experience in pubs, and from my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd North (Gill German) who talked about the Welsh perspective. I admire the determination of my hon. Friend the Member for Bangor Aberconwy (Claire Hughes) to visit all her local pubs. I enjoyed hearing about the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South (Mike Reader) being the home of certain breweries. My hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Nesil Caliskan) reminded us of the importance of the Bill’s proposals to restaurants, cafes and the high street, talking about the 65 hospitality sites in her constituency and the 1,000 people employed by them.
I am pleased to say that there has been a high degree of consensus on this measure, and I can say from the outset that the Government support the Bill and will do what we can to facilitate its passage here and in the other place. I also pay tribute to the work of my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) who led on this issue in the last Parliament, and managed to get her Bill through this place, although the general election intervened, unfortunately, before it could make its way on to the statute books.
My hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham, in his excellent speech, set out a compelling case for the Bill. Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 already makes provision for the Secretary of State to make an order that relaxes licensing hours in England and Wales for
“an occasion of exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
In practice, the Home Secretary determines whether an occasion meets those criteria on a case-by-case basis, and orders must specify the dates and times of the relaxations.
First, such orders bring about benefits to businesses, which can stay open for longer and thus increase revenue. Secondly, communities also benefit, as they are able to come together to celebrate important events. Thirdly, orders benefit licensing authorities, which do not have to process large numbers of licence extensions individually, often in a very limited time period.
Of course, it is for businesses to decide whether they wish to take advantage of extensions, but if they do wish to stay open, a blanket licensing extension automatically means that they do not have to give a temporary event notice to their local authority, which saves them time as well as the associated fee.
Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)
As a former licensing board member, I welcome this Bill. Pubs in Falkirk would certainly have benefited from extensions during the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals, as well as for the world cup final in 2023, and I declare an interest as a member of the tartan army. We need to recognise the impact that extensions have on hospitality workers in the Bill. Would the Minister endorse Unite’s “Get Me Home Safely” campaign and encourage businesses who are going to benefit from this extension to make sure that their staff get home safely?
Dame Diana Johnson
Absolutely. My hon. Friend makes an important point about ensuring that those who work in hospitality are well protected and that getting them home is an important part of employers’ duty to keep their workforce safe. In the past, licensing hours have been relaxed for high-profile royal events, such as His Majesty the King’s coronation, Her Late Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday and her platinum jubilee, as well as the royal weddings in 2018 and 2011. Licensing hours have also been extended for sporting events, including the FIFA world cup 2014, the Euro 2020 final and the Euro 2024 semi-final and final. When the Government have proposed extensions to licensing hours, they have received cross-party support in both Houses and have been passed unopposed.
As we have heard, the Licensing Act specifies that any order is subject to the affirmative procedure and needs to be approved by both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force. The Bill proposes to amend the Licensing Act so that these orders are subject to the negative resolution procedure, rather than the affirmative procedure. That will enable extensions to be implemented at short notice if necessary, including when Parliament is in recess. The current arrangements means that fast-paced extensions are simply not always possible. That is problematic in the context of sporting events, as the participation of national teams in the later stages of competitions is uncertain until the last moment.
I will provide an example to illustrate that. In 2021, the England men’s team made it through to the final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament. With the help of the usual channels, the previous Government managed to push an order through Parliament in the three days between the semi-final and the final. To emphasise my earlier point, I note there was complete agreement across the House for the measure. In the summer of 2023, the England women’s team equally commendably reached the final of the world cup. However, that tournament took place in the summer when Parliament was in recess, so it was sadly not possible to extend licensing hours for the match. The Bill will rectify this issue and ensure that licensing hours can be extended at short notice when necessary, including when Parliament is in recess.
Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)
Does the Minister not share my concern that this is a Bill of very limited ambition? Considering what she has said, surely there is a strong case for deregulating this whole area and for getting Parliament and the Government out of hospitality businesses’ hair.
Dame Diana Johnson
The measures before us are simple and straightforward, and the debate shows there is widespread agreement in the House about them. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will, in this case, not cause any problems to the Bill going forward.
The Bill will rectify the issues we have been discussing and streamline the parliamentary process, but it does not seek to alter the fundamental content of the Licensing Act 2003. However, the Government fully intend to plan ahead, so that wherever possible licensing hour extension orders in England and Wales can be brought in with time for full public consultation. The power in section 172 of the Licensing Act has, rightly, been used sparingly, and there is no intention to change the frequency with which the relevant powers are invoked.
As the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, it is important that I make clear that the police have generally been supportive of extensions for royal events, and that there have been no major increases in crime and disorder attributable to temporary extended drinking hours. However, the police have previously expressed some concerns about licensing extensions relating to sporting events, namely football. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the police have the opportunity to put forward their views, and we will always give due weight to any concerns raised before pressing ahead with an extension of licensing hours.
The Government recognise the importance of providing the police with ample time to put in place additional policing measures that may be necessary to minimise any potential increase in crime and disorder as a result of any temporary licensing hours extension. To that end, the Government remain firmly committed to continuing to plan in advance, wherever possible.
In conclusion, I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham for bringing forward the legislation and those who have spoken in support of it. It is a simple measure that will free up parliamentary time, help the Government to continue to support businesses and local authorities, and allow for celebrations of important events in the life of the nation. The Government fully support the Bill, and it is very important to get it passed before last orders.
Andrew Ranger
I thank all hon. Members for their contributions today and for the broad consensus across the House. I thought I knew quite a lot of hospitality venues across the country, but I have learned about a few more today, which has been good. I will be sure to try to visit them, if possible. I thank the Minister for her support and her comments.
In summary, the Bill introduces a simple, straightforward measure that will enable us to cut out an unnecessary administrative burden for businesses, use parliamentary time better and support our hospitality sector. I trust that all Members from across the House will be able to support the Bill.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read a Second time; to stand committed to a Public Bill Committee (Standing Order No. 63).
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
Wednesday 4th June 2025
(4 months, 4 weeks ago)
Public Bill CommitteesLicensing Hours Extensions Bill 2024-26 Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Chair
I have a few preliminary reminders. Please switch off electronic devices. No food or drink—milk included—is to be consumed during the sitting, except the water that is on the tables. Hansard colleagues would be grateful if Members emailed their speaking notes. If you wish to speak, please bob to catch my eye.
My selection and grouping list for the sitting is available in the room, as you will have seen. No amendments have been tabled; we will have a single debate on both clauses. This should be a straightforward matter, but of course one expects the normal scrutiny from all members of the Committee.
Clause 1
Procedure for making licensing hours orders
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Andrew Ranger (Wrexham) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. I am pleased to bring the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill before the Committee.
Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 enables the Secretary of State to make an order to relax licensing hours in licensed premises in England and Wales for occasions
“of exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
I am sure we all agree that pubs and other hospitality venues hold a special and significant place in our communities. They often sit at the very heart of them. They transcend generations, help to combat loneliness and bring us together. When moments of national importance emerge, many people gravitate towards them to share those moments.
Not only does relaxing licensing hours ensure that communities can mark such special occasions together, but it reduces unnecessary and time-consuming bureaucracy for local authorities and for the hospitality industry. Currently, the relevant legislation requires the affirmative procedure to be followed to implement such extensions. The Bill proposes a simple change that will enable them to be brought about via the negative procedure, thereby freeing up valuable parliamentary time.
What will change? As the Committee will be aware, the affirmative procedure requires that we debate any order to extend licensing hours in both Houses. The Bill will remove the mandatory requirement for such debates. Instead, hon. Members will be able to pray against an extension if they consider it appropriate to do so, which in turn may trigger a debate. Previous orders to extend licensing hours in such circumstances have passed unopposed and with overwhelming support. The Bill will reduce the burden on parliamentary time and resources, while still allowing concerns to be expressed.
The criteria for making an extension will remain unchanged. The Government remain committed to using the power only on a limited basis. The ability to make an order to extend licensing hours lies with the Home Secretary; all such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. In practical terms, the hope is that the Bill will ensure that the next time we see the next great sporting or other occasion that justifies a relaxing of hours, no pub or hospitality venue will miss out on the chance to open its doors to its local community a little earlier or later and to enjoy everything that comes with such an occasion.
Clause 1 will permit the Home Secretary to make such extension orders when they are deemed appropriate, without having to go through unnecessary parliamentary hurdles. Clause 2 will simply mean that the Bill comes into force on the day of Royal Assent and extends to England and Wales only. As no amendments have been tabled, my hope is that the Committee will agree to both clauses of the Bill.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham on promoting a Bill that has been greeted so warmly by the House, and on laying out the case for it so clearly and succinctly today.
This is a Government-backed Bill that will cut red tape and claim back valuable parliamentary time while bringing benefits in the form of increased revenues for businesses and reducing burdens on licensing authorities. I thank my right hon. Friend the Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention, who has been working on the Bill; I am speaking in her place, as she is unable to be present.
The Bill will make an amendment to the Licensing Act to allow licensing extensions to be made more quickly and simply. Furthermore, it will make it possible to extend licensing hours for significant events at short notice even when Parliament is not sitting. Under section 172 of the Act, the Secretary of State may make an order that relaxes licensing hours in England and Wales for
“an occasion of exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
Decisions to extend licensing hours in such circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis, as my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham mentioned. The Government will continue to use the power sparingly.
Currently, the affirmative parliamentary procedure is mandatory—my hon. Friend made that point effectively—in the making of such an order, meaning that it requires the approval of both Houses before coming into force. The Bill will make a very simple alteration to the Licensing Act so that the negative resolution procedure is used instead, allowing extensions to licensing hours to be processed without using up valuable parliamentary time. There has always been agreement across the House that we should move forward in such circumstances, for the reasons that my hon. Friend outlined: it benefits all our constituents when they can come together on very special occasions and spend time in pubs and restaurants in our communities. Objections may still be made, where applicable, under the negative resolution procedure, so Parliament will still have a role.
The negative procedure also has the benefit of allowing licensing hours extensions to be made in the rare event that they are needed during parliamentary recesses or at short notice. Following the affirmative procedure is problematic when an order needs to be made at short notice, such as during a sporting event, when the gap between one of the national teams qualifying for the later stages of the competition and the next match is likely to be only a matter of days. In 2021, an emergency order had to be rushed through Parliament at extremely short notice when the England men’s football team reached the final of Euro 2020. In 2023, when the England women’s team progressed to the world cup final, it was not possible to temporarily extend licensing hours, because the House was in recess.
Licensing hours have previously been relaxed for significant royal occasions, such as the platinum jubilee of Her late Majesty the Queen, and for events of significant national importance, such as the recent VE Day 80th anniversary, as well as for major sporting events. Those extensions received cross-party support in both Houses, as was particularly evident during the recent debate on the VE Day extension, which was warmly welcomed by both Houses.
Extending licensing hours for such occasions means that communities can come together in collective celebration, businesses can reap the benefit of increased revenue and local authorities can be spared the burden of processing high volumes of single extensions. We can all appreciate the welcome boost that that will bring to our local economies: we estimate that it could be up to £500,000 on each occasion.
For businesses, taking advantage of such blanket extensions and remaining open for the additional hours is, of course, optional. The Government will continue to plan ahead for such events as much as we can, not least because it is important to ensure as far as possible that the public can have their say through consultation and that key partners such as the police are engaged and have adequate time to prepare.
The Bill is a simple and modest measure that aims to give back valuable parliamentary time and will undoubtedly benefit our businesses, our local authorities and the communities that they serve across England and Wales; it will be for Scotland and Northern Ireland to bring in their own measures. Keeping our pubs open for longer on such occasions will give people the opportunity to join in celebrations and to raise a glass collectively, as a community. The Government therefore fully support the Bill. I hope that it will continue to have a straightforward passage through the House, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on introducing it.
Andrew Ranger
I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for her remarks, the Government for their support for the Bill, all members of the Committee for their attendance, and officials in the House and in the Home Office for their assistance in getting the Bill to this point. I think we have covered it in sufficient detail. Thank you for your chairmanship, Sir John.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 1 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Bill to be reported, without amendment.
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
Friday 4th July 2025
(3 months, 4 weeks ago)
Commons ChamberLicensing Hours Extensions Bill 2024-26 Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
The Licensing Hours Extensions Bill, proposed by my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger), is about cutting red tape and unnecessary and time-consuming bureaucracy for the hospitality industry and local authorities when they simply want to open earlier or stay open later on occasions of special importance.
The Bill will amend the Licensing Act 2003 to allow licensing extensions to be made more quickly and simply. Furthermore, it will make it possible to extend licensing hours for noteworthy events at short notice, even when Parliament is not sitting. Such decisions will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and extensions will be used as and when is deemed appropriate by the Government, with the criteria for making such an extension remaining unchanged, and the power resting with the Home Secretary.
The Bill will make a very simple alteration to the Licensing Act 2003, so that the negative procedure is used and the requirement for debate is removed, though Members can still pray against an extension if they wish. That will allow extensions to licensing hours to be processed without using up valuable parliamentary time—something I am certain you would approve of, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is extremely welcome that there has been broad support and consensus across the House for this measure. Whether that says something about parliamentarians and pints, I could not possibly say.
The negative procedure also has the benefit of allowing licensing extensions to be made in the rare event that they are needed during parliamentary recess or at short notice. Following the affirmative procedure is problematic when an order needs to be made at short notice, as we have seen in the past—for example, at the time of the women’s world cup in 2023.
Mike Reader (Northampton South) (Lab)
This summer, the women’s club world cup comes to Northampton. If it was in another country, this legislation would be critical, because I am sure that many want to see the England women’s rugby team play, as they will do at Franklin’s Gardens. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as we see more interest in sports, particularly women’s sports, it is critical that the Government have the ability to change licensing hours without the affirmative procedure?
Matt Turmaine
My hon. Friend is absolutely correct: this is vital legislation. It is wholly appropriate to make this alteration in order to permit swift changes to licensing hours as necessary.
This move will ensure that there will be no such limitations in the future, and that any hospitality venue will have the option of taking advantage of an extension issued by the Home Secretary. Special occasions such as world cups, European championships and royal weddings live long in all our memories, even if we are enjoying the hospitality so enabled. It is only right that our pubs and hospitality venues are given the opportunity to be a part of the experience on those occasions. My hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham and I hope that the Bill will pass today, and will do exactly what it says on the tin, especially on this day of celebration, one year on from the general election.
Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab)
As the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, I am proud to speak in support of the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill, which is a sensible and necessary reform to support our struggling hospitality sector and, as we have heard, allow communities to come together during moments of national significance. The Bill gives the Government the power to extend licensing hours across the country for key events, such as royal celebrations, national sporting victories and commemorative days, without the need for venues to go through costly and time-consuming individual applications.
For Portsmouth North, this is more than just a technical measure—it is a lifeline. Across areas such as North End, Drayton, Cosham and Hilsea, we have seen much-loved venues close their doors in recent years, yet some still stand strong at the heart of our communities. Pubs such as the Harvest Home in Copnor, the George in Cosham, the Drayton Tavern in Drayton and the Cross Keys in Paulsgrove, where my mum and dad met, have fought to keep going, despite increased pressures from rising costs, staff shortages and regulatory burdens. For many of these venues, the opportunity to stay open later during special events without additional red tape could mean the difference between a profitable night and another loss.
I want to highlight the role of Casemates Studios in Hilsea. Although primarily a creative space, it supports a range of community events, music gigs and social gatherings. More flexible licensing arrangements will allow places like Casemates to better host local talent and public events tied to national occasions, without the financial or bureaucratic strain that often puts them off even trying. This Bill supports exactly that kind of local, community-led vibrancy. Having spoken with business owners across my constituency, I know how hard they have worked to stay afloat. The Licensing Hours Extensions Bill removes an unnecessary hurdle. It simplifies the process, reduces costs, and gives our hospitality businesses a fair shot at success when it matters most—on those big nights when our country is celebrating.
Let me be clear: this is not about handing out licences indiscriminately. The Bill rightly ensures that local authorities and the police are consulted before any national extension is granted, meaning that residents will still be protected from antisocial behaviour and decisions will reflect the needs of the whole community.
Portsmouth North’s pubs and venues are not just businesses—they are places where people gather, celebrate, mark milestones and find connections. This Bill gives them a boost at a time when many are struggling to keep the lights on. I am pleased to support the Bill, and urge colleagues across the House to do the same for the sake of our local economies, our community spirit and the future of our British pub. As our Lionesses begin their Euros campaign, I wish them our very best.
Harriet Cross (Gordon and Buchan) (Con)
I am grateful to the hon. Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine) for bringing forward this private Member’s Bill, alongside the hon. Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger), and I am pleased to confirm that the Conservative party supports the measure. It is legislation that the previous Conservative Government supported, and we welcome its return to the House. The Bill changes section 197 of the Licensing Act 2003, moving licensing hours orders from the affirmative to the negative procedure. As we have heard, this will save precious parliamentary time while maintaining full democratic accountability through the prayer procedure, which allows Members to object within 40 days.
The hospitality sector is vital to local economies throughout the United Kingdom. From rural pubs to city centre hotels, these businesses need the flexibility to serve their communities during national celebrations. When His Majesty the King was crowned in 2023, establishments across the country wanted to mark that historic occasion. The current process makes it unnecessarily difficult to respond to such moments of national significance. Since 2003, this power has been used sparingly for national events; every single order has had to pass through Parliament, and has done so unopposed. Public consultation also shows strong support, with 77% backing the coronation extensions to licences in 2023.
Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)
When this Bill had its Second Reading, I put it to the Minister who was responding then, the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson), that this was a rather puny measure, and that there is a strong case for deregulating this whole area, and for getting Parliament and the Government out of the hospitality sector’s hair in relation to licensing hours. Does my hon. Friend agree that this Bill is far too limited a measure?
Harriet Cross
I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. Of course, we should all strive for deregulation, and would like more of it all the time. That is probably a bit too much to take on within the very small confines of this private Member’s Bill, but it is certainly something we should strive for, in order to help businesses across the country, and definitely something I would look at.
Sir Christopher Chope
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way again. Will she also include within her inquiries, and her thoughts about ambition, some more control over the negative procedure? The hon. Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine), who introduced the Bill today, asserted that anybody who was against an order passed under the negative procedure would be able to pray against it, but the opportunity to ensure that a prayer results in a debate is almost non-existent. That is a theoretical, rather than practical, constraint. One of the issues I have been trying to raise is—
Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)
Order. Sir Christopher is a parliamentarian with enough experience to know that that is a very, very long intervention. He has been here from the start; he could have chosen to contribute in the debate.
Harriet Cross
I thank my hon. Friend for the intervention. This is clearly an area that he is very passionate about. If these proposals progress, I am sure that he will be able to feed into them well.
We have been hearing about the affirmative procedure versus the negative procedure. The affirmative procedure has proven particularly cumbersome when unexpected events arise. When our Lionesses reached the world cup final with just four days’ notice, as we have heard, the parliamentary process nearly prevented communities from coming together to celebrate. Even my communities in Scotland would have had the opportunity to do so, if they had been in the same situation. Moving to the negative procedure would allow the Government to respond swiftly to such moments, while maintaining parliamentary oversight.
This change does not weaken democratic oversight at all; it simply makes the process more efficient. The Secretary of State must still consult appropriately under section 172, and public consultation will continue. As we have heard, any Member of either House retains the right to table a prayer motion for the annulment of the order, and judicial review remains available.
The benefits are clear. Parliamentary time spent on uncontested orders can be reallocated to generally contentious matters. By making small, sensible changes like this, we free up valuable time to debate critical issues facing our country, such as securing our energy supply, supporting rural and coastal communities, tackling neighbourhood crime and holding this Government to account.
The Conservative party is and always will be the party of business. We understand that the ability to open for longer during national celebrations can provide a significant and welcome boost of energy and income to our pubs, bars, restaurants and high streets. This Bill facilitates that in a more efficient manner. We support the Bill because it is a common-sense, practical measure that continues to champion the work we did in government, and because it will help businesses and communities across all our constituencies.
In conclusion, as this is a thoroughly logical piece of legislation, which removes unnecessary procedural steps and allows the House to better focus on its primary responsibilities, we support it and commend it to the House.
Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)
I rise to speak only because I was not able to complete my intervention; as you rightly said, Madam Deputy Speaker, it was getting very long.
The point I want to make in my short contribution to this debate is that it is because of the lack of flexibility in the negative procedure that we find ourselves having to discuss the matter on Third Reading today. If the House had the ability to amend statutory instruments, and had a guarantee, more or less, that if there was an objection to an order made under the negative procedure, it could be the subject of debate, there would be less concern about orders being subject to the negative procedure, rather than the affirmative procedure.
This Bill has been dragged through this House at great length. I do not quite understand the explanation for that. Under the Bill, in the narrow context of a sporting event taking place that resulted in the need for a celebration that there had not been notice of at a time when the House was sitting—according to the Bill’s sponsors, it would be relevant only in such circumstances—the Government could allow a licensing extension.
Martin Wrigley (Newton Abbot) (LD)
claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).
Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)
As we have not yet heard from the Minister, I am not prepared to take a closure motion at this time.
Sir Christopher Chope
In the light of the number of people who voted at 9.35 am, I think it is highly unlikely that any closure motion could be carried, because it would need 100 Members to support it. I have been speaking for only two or three minutes. I know the hon. Member for Newton Abbot (Martin Wrigley) is keen to get on and discuss his Bill, which I know the Government wish to talk out—I am a little bit perplexed about that.
The negative resolution procedure would be necessary only in an emergency. I was quite tempted to extend my remarks, because the hon. Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine) tried to link the contents of the Bill with today’s first anniversary of the election of what I think is undeniably the worst Government this country has ever experienced. Would we really have wanted to celebrate that in the pubs? Last night, I was commiserating with a group of Conservatives in a London constituency about what had happened over the last year, and explaining to them that they should take courage from the fact that at least we are 20% of the way through this ghastly Government.
Matt Turmaine
My remarks were entirely oriented around the suggestion that those wishing to celebrate would be able to do so. No compulsion to do so was intended.
Sir Christopher Chope
I am so relieved to hear that. As a believer in freedom and choice, I think people should have the chance to go to the pub either to celebrate or to commiserate. I share the desire of the hon. Gentleman and many others in this House to promote the hospitality industry. There seems to be some evidence that a lot more young people are coming back to drink and celebrate in pubs, and long may that continue. In my constituency, as in many others, far too many good pubs and other hospitality venues have closed down, not least because of the Government’s imposition of extra employers’ national insurance and increases in the national minimum wage.
Although the Government will probably take credit for allowing this Bill—this very modest measure—to go through, it needs to be put in perspective. At the same time, they have been the author of a whole lot of measures that have been very bad news for the hospitality industry across the country, and in Christchurch in particular.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine) and to others who spoke in the debate, including my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Amanda Martin), for their contributions. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Watford for speaking on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger), who introduced the Bill, and I am grateful to be speaking on behalf of the Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson).
Throughout proceedings on the Bill, there has been a high degree of consensus on the measures it contains, and I am pleased to say that the Government fully support it. I recognise the depth of experience that my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham brings to it, with his 25-plus years in the hospitality sector. Rightly, the Bill supports the sector, which is responsible for around 2.6 million jobs in our country and is an important part of our local and national economy.
As my hon. Friend the Member for Watford explained, section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 makes provision for the Secretary of State to make an order that relaxes licensing hours in England and Wales on an occasion of exceptional international, national or local significance. In practice, the Home Secretary determines whether an occasion meets the criteria on a case-by-case basis, and any orders that are brought forward must specify the dates and times of the relaxations. Such orders benefit businesses, which can stay open for longer; communities, which can come together to celebrate important events; and licensing authorities, which do not have to process a large number of individual licence extensions. Of course, it is still for individual businesses to decide whether they wish to take advantage of any extension, but if businesses do wish to stay open, a blanket licensing extension means that individual businesses do not have to give a temporary event notice to their local authority, saving them time as well as the associated fee.
The Bill will amend the Licensing Act 2003 so that relaxation orders can be made via the negative resolution procedure, rather than the current affirmative procedure. In the past, we have relaxed licensing hours for high-profile royal events, such as Her late Majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee and the coronation of His Majesty the King; other events of significant national importance, such as the recent celebrations on the 80th anniversary of VE Day; and major sporting events, including the finals of the men’s European championship football tournaments in 2020 and 2024, and the women’s European championship this summer.
Let me summarise the benefits of changing the procedure. First, by removing the need for businesses to submit individual temporary event notices and, subsequently, for local authorities to work tirelessly in processing them, we will reduce the burden placed on those organisations. Hospitality venues will also have one fewer administrative task to process as they prepare for events.
Secondly, as I have previously mentioned, a more practical reason for making this change is that, as well as being used for royal occasions—for which there is plenty of notice—licensing extensions can be used when one of our national football teams makes it to the final of a tournament. Given the nature of how these competitions play out, there is very little time between the team qualifying for a key match and the match taking place.
In the summer of 2021, the England men’s team made it to the final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament; thankfully, with the help of colleagues of different parties, we were able to swiftly put an order in place in the three days between the semi-final and the final. In the summer of 2023, however, the England women’s team reached the final of the World cup, which took place when Parliament was in recess. As such, it was not possible to extend licensing hours. Changing the process to the negative procedure will mean that an order can be made when Parliament is in recess, so that we can avoid such a situation arising again. History has shown that there is clearly cross-party support for this measure, which is important to colleagues on both sides of the House.
Having outlined the benefits of being able to make orders swiftly, I will briefly make some remarks about how the Government will consider what needs to be in place when using the powers. We are clear that the Government must continue to plan ahead so that, wherever possible, licensing hours extension orders can be made in time for prior public consultation. It is also important to make it clear that the police have generally been supportive of extensions for royal events, and that no noticeable issues have been attributed to extended drinking hours. Indeed, many people might like to drink non-alcoholic beverages, which are available in almost all pubs and restaurants across the country.
The Government recognise the importance of providing the police with ample time to put in place any additional policing measures that may be necessary to prevent an increase in crime or disorder in our communities, and we make sure that their views on these matters are heard in advance. To that end, the Government remain firmly committed to continuing to plan in advance wherever possible.
The power in section 172 of the Licensing Act has been used sparingly, and rightly so. As the statutory guidance that accompanies the Licensing Act sets out, it should normally be possible for those applying for premises licences to anticipate special occasions. The change will apply to England and Wales only. I once again thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham and others who have spoken in support of this important new measure.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
Monday 7th July 2025
(3 months, 3 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberLicensing Hours Extensions Bill 2024-26 Read Hansard Text
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
Friday 24th October 2025
(1 week, 3 days ago)
Lords ChamberLicensing Hours Extensions Bill 2024-26 Read Hansard Text Watch Debate
Lord Watson of Wyre Forest
That the Bill be now read a second time.
Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Lab)
My Lords, my noble friend Lord Murphy of Torfaen may have been hesitant to talk about elections this morning, but the Bill I propose may allow him to drown his sorrows a little easier. It is a genuine privilege to bring forward the Licensing Hours Extension Bill, a small but meaningful reform that will make a tangible difference to hospitality businesses, local communities and the millions of people who gather in pubs across England and Wales.
The Bill has travelled a steady, consensual path. It nearly reached this House before the last general election, under the stewardship of my colleague Emma Lewell. I am pleased to say that it received cross-party support when both she and my honourable friend Andrew Ranger, the Member for Wrexham, guided it through the Commons. It was supported by Ministers in both Governments, and that breadth of agreement reflects something rare and precious: a shared recognition of the cultural, social and economic importance of the great British pub, so ably represented by the good people of the British Beer & Pub Association, known to all Members of this House, which also supports this legislation.
The Bill makes a straightforward amendment to the Licensing Act 2003, the legislation that sets out the framework for four licensable activities: the sale of alcohol, and its supply, the provision of regulated entertainment, and the provision of late-night refreshment. Under Section 172 of that Act, the Secretary of State has the power to make an order extending licensing hours across England and Wales to mark occasions of
“exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
These national extensions allow all licensed premises to stay open for longer, should they wish to do so.
Over the past two decades, the power has been used sparingly, but effectively. It has enabled communities to celebrate together during the royal weddings in 2011 and 2018; Her late Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012; the Platinum Jubilee in 2022; and His Majesty the King’s Coronation in 2023. More recently, it was used to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day earlier this year, and during major sporting events such as Euro 2020—played in 2021—and Euro 2024, in which the England men’s football team participated. Most recently, licensing hours were extended when the Lionesses achieved their magnificent victory in securing a second European Championship title.
These nationally shared moments remind us that the role of the pub is not just commercial; pubs are the beating hearts of our communities. They are places where we come together in times of joy, pride and sometimes sorrow. They are where strangers become friends, where neighbours meet and where the shared story of our national life unfolds. Two-thirds of adults believe their local pub plays a vital role in tackling loneliness and social isolation. For many, especially in rural areas or small towns, it is the one place where the door is generally always open and where a conversation is never far away.
Economically too, this sector is a powerhouse: some 45,000 pubs and nearly 2,000 breweries support over a million jobs. They contribute £34 billion in gross value added to the economy and generate £18 billion in tax revenue. Almost half the workforce is aged between 16 and 24, making pubs and hospitality one of the most significant sources of opportunity for young people entering the labour market. Pubs sustain high streets in every part of the country, from great cities to small coastal towns. They sponsor local football teams, host community meetings and support charity events. They help our villages remain viable and our cities vibrant. And yet, despite their value, too many publicans face obstacles that make their work harder than it needs to be.
Under the current system, when a moment of national significant arises—whether a royal celebration, a major sporting final or a solemn occasion of mourning—pubs and hospitality venues often face unnecessary bureaucracy. They must either apply individually for a temporary event notice, which costs money and requires at least 10 days’ notice, or they must wait for Parliament to approve a blanket extension through the affirmative procedure. If Parliament is not sitting, that flexibility simply does not exist.
We saw the consequences of that in August 2023, when the Lionesses reached the World Cup final. It was a huge moment of national pride, watched by millions, yet thousands of venues were unable to open early and allow communities to come together. The Government could not extend licensing hours across England and Wales because there was not time to secure approval in both Houses. The Bill seeks to correct that. It replaces the affirmative procedure with the negative resolution procedure. In practice, that means that the Home Secretary may grant a temporary national extension to licensing hours more swiftly, without requiring a debate in both Houses, while preserving Parliament’s right to object. This is a pragmatic change that makes the system flexible, responsive and fit for purpose. It removes red tape, saves businesses money and ensures that we can respond in real time to moments that bring the nation together.
There is also a practical economic benefit. National license extensions save every affected business the cost and administrative burden of applying individually for a temporary event notice—£21 per application—while relieving local licensing authorities of the work involved in processing large numbers of requests in a short period of time.
At the same time, the Bill safeguards parliamentary scrutiny. If any Member of either House objects to a proposed extension, they retain the right to pray against it, meaning a debate can still take place. The only difference is that such a debate would not be automatic. This approach strikes the right balance between efficiency and accountability. As past experience shows, national extensions of this kind have been universally welcomed and commanded broad consensus. It is difficult to imagine objection to an extension marking a royal jubilee, a Coronation or a major sporting event.
Importantly, the Bill does not alter the criteria for extensions. National orders will still be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of State, normally the Home Secretary, and will be introduced only for events that are, in the words of the Licensing Act,
“of exceptional international, national, or local significance”.
The process for temporary event notices remains unchanged.
The Bill, then, is both a modest and meaningful change. It is a technical adjustment, but one that will bring real benefits to business and communities alike. It recognises that pubs are more than places of trade— they are spaces of togetherness and continuity in an age when many of our shared rituals have frayed. It acknowledges that our legislative processes must be nimble enough to keep pace with modern life. In a country where a football final, a royal commemoration or a moment of remembrance can unite millions, it should not be impossible for our communities to celebrate or to reflect together simply because of procedural delay.
The hospitality industry continues to recover from the shocks of the pandemic and sustained cost pressures. Many landlords and staff have had to show extraordinary resilience. Removing unnecessary administrative barriers, even small ones, sends an important signal of confidence and respect for their role in our national life.
The Bill embodies a simple principle: that government should trust communities and businesses to come together responsibly in moments that matter. It removes friction without removing oversight, and it tidies a process that has outlived its practicality while preserving the checks and balances that Parliament rightly expects. It also reminds us of something beyond procedure. When the national anthem plays in a crowded pub, when glasses are raised in memory of a monarch or in celebration of a local hero, when laughter and conversation spill out into the street after a match, we see the best of who we are—neighbours, friends and citizens, bound by shared experience.
The Bill cannot solve every challenge facing our pubs and brewers but it is a step in the right direction. It is proportionate, practical and unifying. It ensures that the Secretary of State can act swiftly when the nation wishes to come together, and that Parliament can still hold Ministers to account if it so chooses. For all these reasons, I commend the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill to the House and invite your Lordships to give it a Second Reading. I beg to move.
Baroness Monckton of Dallington Forest (Con)
My Lords, I declare my interest as chair and founder of Team Domenica.
When I joined your Lordships’ House, I vowed to speak only on things that I knew about, so your Lordships might be surprised to see me on my feet for this licensing Bill. However, in a few weeks’ time my charity is opening a pub in Brighton. This has required major investment for the acquisition, refurbishment and training facilities, funded by a combination of donations and a significant mortgage. It will give enhanced training opportunities for our candidates, in addition to our existing cafes and coffee roastery. When I asked Jeremy Clarkson for advice, his reply was succinct: “Don’t do it”. This was followed by a list of all the things that could and would go wrong.
Before I go into that, I would like to start by saying that I have no objection whatever to cutting the red tape and regulatory costs around opening hours, and I acknowledge that the Bill could be only a good thing for the industry. However, I have broader concerns.
My team are currently recruiting staff at all levels for the pub, and they have been flabbergasted by the hundreds of applications that they have received for every single job that we have advertised—and this is in Brighton, a city where hospitality is a major component of the economy. As recently as two years ago, hospitality venues were really struggling to fill vacancies. The impact of last year’s Budget is huge, and has been immediate, concentrated and socially regressive.
According to PAYE data published by the Office for National Statistics, 110,000 jobs have been lost in this sector between June 2024 and July 2025. Hospitality now employs 2.1 million people, and 60% of them are under 25. It is an entry level into work for young people, particularly those with no skills or qualifications, for those needing support into work, and for those people—such as our candidates—with learning disabilities, for whom a job can be life transforming. The new NIC threshold means an employer is paying tax on someone working seven to eight hours a week rather than 16 to 18 as previously. This has had a negative impact on an industry which largely relies on part-time workers and has caused pubs to slash jobs and decrease opening hours. I fear that the Employment Rights Bill coming down the track will make employing this cohort even more challenging, and the benefits bill will therefore increase on its alarming upward curve.
The Government need to start being serious about measures that will grow the economy and create jobs. They should reverse this threshold change and even take it higher than it was before the last Budget. In fact, UKHospitality lobbied for such a raise in the threshold before the last Budget to create jobs, and the Government did the opposite, without any consultation or impact assessment.
In its recent report, the Institute of Economic Affairs said:
“Employment and vacancies are down, working-age inactivity remains an apparently intractable problem, and unemployment continues its upward creep. Job losses are particularly noticeable in retailing and hospitality”.
A third of all minimum wage workers work in shops, bars and restaurants. This recent hike in employer national insurance contributions has brought many part-time workers into the Government’s net who were previously exempt.
Alan Vallance, the CEO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, said last week that the country
“faces a damaging cliff edge if the Chancellor decides to raid businesses again”.
He said that businesses trying to deliver growth are being held back. Firms are telling him that it is
“too expensive to do business, with confidence in free-fall over skyrocketing operating costs amid high taxes, an outdated business rates system and soaring energy bills”.
UKHospitality has put forward several ideas and can demonstrate in each case what the real benefits would be to the economy and public finances. Here are a few of them. The first thing it suggests is to lower business rates to revive the high streets. Business rates are a sin tax on running community-based businesses. Our high streets and hospitality venues are a vital and economic resource.
The next suggestion is to fix NICs to boost jobs. Sectors such as hospitality, which provide accessible careers, have been hit hardest, as I just said. The impact on someone earning £25,000 a year was twice as bad as on someone earning £150,000, and the largest number of job losses have been in hospitality. Exemptions should include those at the start of their careers and people returning to work from welfare. I add to that list those with learning disabilities. This would support job creation and reduce the benefits bill.
The third suggestion is to cut VAT to drive investment. The EU average VAT rate on hospitality is between 10% and 13%. Last week, Ireland announced that it would cut its rate to 9%, yet in the UK we still pay the full 20%, making it so much harder for people to support their local businesses. UKHospitality is calling for a cut on VAT to the EU average, which would pay for itself over the course of the Parliament with higher tax receipts.
As the noble Lord, Lord Watson, said, the social and community importance of bars and pubs cannot be overestimated. Pubs are the centre of our communities, yet increasingly, people are drinking at home because they can no longer afford the price of a pint. As one person in the business said to me, 1p off a pint was a very unfunny joke. Our duty on alcohol is the second highest in Europe, topped only by Finland’s. People need to meet face to face, to feel a sense of belonging and connection. Hospitality venues are not just in towns and cities but in rural communities. They are the heartbeat of those communities, as the noble Lord, Lord Watson said, but, frankly, they need resuscitation. The isolation that rural communities feel—particularly farming communities, which are under so much pressure at the moment—is a very real issue, and pubs in the country are closing at an alarming rate.
The Government should now recognise the importance of this sector for economic growth, wealth creation, responsible consumption, social integration, community connection and cultural richness, and throw their weight behind this industry. The British Beer and Pub Association has estimated that 375 pubs will close before the end of this year in England, Wales and Scotland. Our Prime Minister has said that he wants to
“bring the buzz back to Britain’s boozers”.
He has got that the wrong way round. Bring the boozers back, and perhaps the buzz will follow.
As I said at the beginning, I am in not in any way against this Bill, but giving pubs the ability to trade later will not be any help with all the issues they face. Many of them can no longer afford to open every day, let alone late at night.
Let me end with an extract from Jeremy Clarkson’s email:
“When you step into a pub that you are running, you immediately notice the broken light bulb and the wonky loo roll dispenser and the cockeyed picture. And as there’s no money in hospitality these days, you can’t afford to get someone in to put everything right. You must do it yourself. And then, while you are doing it, a food allergy enthusiast will claim they saw a potato which has made them go blind and then the guy who you employ to clean the lavatories after the pub shuts will phone in sick so you’ll have to do that too. It’s relentless. But … there will come a time when everyone sits down after work and has a drink and a sausage roll and all of a sudden it’ll make sense. And it’ll especially make sense for you because you’re doing it for a very good reason”.
That very good reason is why I am speaking on this subject today. We have called our pub the North Star, as we guide our candidates into work and are constantly there for them when they embark on their journeys into employment.
Meanwhile, I will fight as hard as I can to ensure that the hospitality business can thrive again, not just for our candidates and their prospects but for all of us in our communities. Pubs are a quintessential symbol of Britishness, and it is our patriotic duty to keep them open and affordable, both for those who run them and for those who drop in for a drink, a meal and a conversation. Above all, none of us wants to hear for a final time that always unpopular phrase, “Last orders, please.”
Lord Bailey of Paddington (Con)
My Lords, I welcome this Licensing Hours Extensions Bill. It is a sensible, straightforward change that will enable the public to support our hospitality sector with cross-party support. I hope it helps to mitigate the unnecessary strain put on local licensing authorities by preventing the current process of large numbers of applications being viewed at late notice, as well as giving certainty to businesses.
The hospitality sector helps to bring people together. As the co-chair of the loneliness APPG, I believe it is vital to enable and support our young people to socialise. The Covid-19 pandemic had an incredibly damaging impact on our young people’s well-being, with almost half of parents reporting that their children’s social and emotional skills worsened as a result. Furthermore, the hospitality sector is intertwined with the arts, with a trip to the theatre likely to include a drink and a meal out. The music, performing and visual arts sectors aid in cultural enrichment, bringing in over £11 billion to the UK economy each year, with our West End box office generating almost 1/10th of that. More broadly, hospitality brings in over £62 billion to the UK, providing 2.6 million jobs, making it the sixth-largest UK industry in terms of employment.
However, this Government’s track record does little to inspire confidence, actively undermining the sector since they came to office. Indeed, 111,000 jobs have been lost in the hospitality sector across the UK, with 30,000 jobs going here in London. It is hardly surprising that such a phenomenon is occurring when it now costs on average an extra £2,500 to add a member of staff, even before wages. In a nation that has a really high unemployment rate, surely we do not want to add more to this list.
Like other businesses across the UK, the hospitality sector has faced significant additional challenges since the Labour Government came to power. Each hospitality business has been expected to come up with an extra £30,000 to £80,000 in additional operating costs, according to the Night Time Industries Association. That staggering figure is the culmination of the national insurance contribution rate increases and an increase in the living wage of 6.7%, not to mention broader market instabilities and lack of confidence. These Government decisions not only make your night-time trip out more expensive but they make it less likely to happen at all. The night-time economy sector has faced a 15.8% contraction over the summer. The Times reported that a third of pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels are losing money and are at risk due to recent tax rises. These numbers reflect a growing understanding that a Labour Government are not conducive to business.
This predicament is even worse in our capital. The Mayor of London appointed Amy Lamé as a night czar. He paid her a huge sum of money, but she oversaw a massive decline in London nightlife which has yet to be put right. Economics aside, safety is a huge limiting factor, especially for women, on enjoying the hospitality sector. Two-thirds of respondents said they would be more likely to stay out later, and thus spend more money, if better night transportation was provided. I hope the Government will encourage the Mayor of London and TfL to put more effort into rolling out the Night Tube—for example, opening it up on Thursday, which has become the new Friday for many Londoners.
While I commend this Bill in its endeavours, I am deeply concerned by the challenges facing the hospitality sector due to the uncertain economic environment overseen by this Government, with business confidence falling to minus 74, the lowest reading since the survey began in 2016. As Michael Kill, the CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, put it:
“This past year has been a devastating chapter for the night time economy”.
The Government must do more than this Bill to help the night-time economy grow and prosper. They need to provide a pro-business environment, an agenda that will help this society rebuild not only the night-time economy but employment, particularly for young people. This is an area of our economy that gives many unskilled young people their start in employment and, without it, their lives will be destroyed before they even begin.
Lord Hayward (Con)
My Lords, I thank noble Lords for the opportunity to speak in the gap. I would like to make a few comments specifically in relation to this Bill.
I was previously the chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association. I spent many a happy hour— or not—preparing, negotiating and discussing this particular piece of legislation with the Government at the time. I also brought the court case that resulted in the change in legislation, with the result that it was possible for people to drink at hours when the men’s football World Cup was taking place in Japan and South Korea.
As the noble Lord, Lord Watson, said, pubs are used on many occasions and in many different circumstances. I remember only too well having a conversation with him about the merits and demerits of moving the Greets Green and Lyng ward from one constituency in the Black Country to another. Boundaries may be resolved in some interesting places on occasions.
More seriously, this is an important piece of deregulatory legislation. It is a small step that I think is absolutely necessary. The problems that we have seen, in relation to the inability to bring forward changes in hours because Parliament is not sitting, have been highlighted on a number of occasions. This is a small but necessary deregulatory measure that is welcomed by the hospitality industry. I wish the Bill fair for the next few stages and contributions.
Lord Sandhurst (Con)
My Lords, it is a pleasure to speak in this debate. I begin by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, who has sponsored this Bill and dedicated much time to ensuring its smooth progress. I am also grateful to all noble Lords who have contributed today. The noble Lords, Lord Hayward and Lord Bailey of Paddington, brought their experience of our hospitality sector, of local communities and of the workings of our licensing regime.
This sector needs all the help it can get: the Government’s misguided changes to national insurance have caused it needless damage. My noble friend Lady Monckton of Dallington Forest, who spoke so eloquently on such a precious subject, is working to open a pub that will employ people with disabilities. This commendable endeavour is testament to her long-standing support for the disabled. I hope that the Government will give a clear commitment to supporting pubs that may be affected by this legislation, particularly those that play an important role in empowering people with disabilities.
This Bill seeks to amend the Licensing Act 2003 in a modest but meaningful way by moving the statutory instrument under Section 172 so that orders to relax licensing hours for significant occasions may be made under the negative resolution procedure rather than the affirmative procedure. Although there is no need to make this discussion political, I believe that, at its heart, this is a Conservative-minded proposal. It is about removing bureaucracy, supporting local businesses and empowering communities to celebrate together. The Bill should have everyone’s support.
As other noble Lords have said, our hospitality sector is a vital part of local economies. Pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises are community hubs and meeting places. They anchor our high streets. They contribute to the social fabric of our towns and villages. They provide important employment opportunities to people of all ages, from students to the retired. As one honourable Member in the other place put it:
“Constituents … would welcome this relatively minor change so that they can come together, support their local hospitality spots and mark those occasions”.—[Official Report, Commons, 17/1/25; col. 663.]
This Bill will give businesses the flexibility that they need to respond when our country comes together, whether that be for a major sporting occasion, a local occasion or a royal occasion.
By removing an unnecessary layer of parliamentary procedure, this Bill will free up parliamentary time. It will not alter the substantive provisions for when extensions may be granted: rather, it will streamline the mechanism. That will give this House time to discuss other matters of national importance, so it is a double win.
Finally, the Bill promotes community celebration and social cohesion. Many of our treasured national moments, such as royal celebrations and major finals, lead communities to gather together in pubs and other licensed premises. The current process sometimes delays suitable responses, for example when Parliament is in recess. Enabling licensing hours to be extended in a timely, practical manner for these events will mean that we can better support our citizens who want to gather together. It will help communities bond.
Although we on these Benches warmly support the Bill’s principle and intend to lend it our backing, we recognise the need for proportionate safeguards and oversight, which the Bill upholds and provides. The Bill does not change the core test of what is of “exceptional significance”. The Secretary of State must still judge whether an extension is justified. This Bill still ensures democratic oversight through the prayer mechanism. It allows Parliament to object where necessary, but the Government must still plan ahead and consult the police and local authorities. As Ministers here and in the other place have noted, the police have generally supported such extensions and there has been no disproportionate rise in crime or disorder.
Overall, this Bill strikes a good balance. It supports business and community and it protects the importance of democratic oversight. We on these Benches want to enable and encourage enterprise to back our hospitality sector and strengthen local communities—and to do so without unnecessary red tape. This Bill is a timely and sensible measure, so we on these Benches welcome it. We support its passage. I look forward to this important step being taken so that, when our nation comes together in celebration, local venues can also do so in a safe manner and with minimum delay. I lend the Bill my support.
I end my speech today on a high note with a quotation from a fine old song, “The Beer-Drinking Briton”, written to a tune by Thomas Arne, the author of “Rule, Britannia!” It goes:
“Let us sing our own treasures, old England’s good cheer. To the profits and pleasures of stout British beer”.
Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)
Oh dear—the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, has presented me with a with a rhetorical challenge to which I shall not attempt to rise.
I thank my noble friend Lord Watson for sponsoring this Bill and congratulate him on a wonderfully eloquent speech. I also thank my honourable friend the Member for Wrexham, who introduced the Bill and helped secure its successful passage in the other place. The Bill has enjoyed cross-party consensus and has the Government’s full support; I have been delighted to hear the words of support from around your Lordships’ House this morning.
I thank the noble Lord, Lord Hayward, for drawing our attention to the long—though not too long—history of this important deregulatory measure. Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 allows the Secretary of State to relax licensing hours in England and Wales for occasions of exceptional international, national or local significance, as many noble Lords have said. Each case is considered on its merits and any order specifies the relevant times and dates. As noble Lords have noted, these orders bring practical benefits: businesses can open for longer, communities can celebrate together and licensing authorities are spared the considerable administrative burden of processing numerous individual applications. Importantly, no premises is obliged to extend its hours, but a blanket extension removes the need for temporary event notices, saving considerable time and cost.
The Bill proposes a targeted procedural change to allow such orders to be made under the negative resolution procedure, rather than the current affirmative procedure. As noble Lords have noted, this is a modest but important reform. The power has been used sparingly and only for events of genuine significance. My noble friend Lord Watson identified occasions on which we have used it, such as Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the Coronation of His Majesty the King, the 80th anniversary of VE Day and major sporting events such as the UEFA European Championship. The proposed changes offer several advantages.
First, they reduce unnecessary and considerable administrative pressures. A single time-limited relaxation removes the need for thousands of separate notices and the associated resource demands. This is particularly valuable for the hospitality sector. A number of noble Lords have referred to the importance of the hospitality sector. As of March 2025, the hospitality sector supported 2.6 million jobs—slightly more than the noble Baroness, Lady Monckton, referred to—and 174,000 businesses across the UK.
Earlier this year, the DBT and HMT commissioned a task force to consider how the licensing regime could better support the hospitality sector. I draw attention to this because a number of noble Lords have asked what we are doing to support the hospitality sector. Since the Bill relates to licensing reform, I should put this on the record. The task force report, published in July, made 10 recommendations, the majority of which the Government support. Earlier this month, a call for evidence was launched to seek further views on these recommended actions. The call for evidence is due to close very soon, on 6 November. Proposals include a national licensing policy framework, a review of outdated licence conditions and an increase in the permitted number of temporary notices. I know that this does not answer every consideration that noble Lords have raised, but I hope it gives some reassurance that the Government are taking the licensing framework seriously and taking action.
I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Monckton, on what sounds like a wonderful project in Brighton. The North Star sounds like the perfect name. I admire what she is doing there, but she would not expect me to comment on suggestions for the Budget, and I will not. It is above my pay grade.
The second thing to which I want to draw attention, and for me the most important aspect of these reforms, on which I have spoken in your Lordships’ House before, is that these extensions serve a vital social purpose. They enable communities to come together and celebrate together—whether for royal milestones, sporting achievements or moments of rather more sombre national reflection—within licensed, regulated environments. This fosters civic pride, community cohesion and safer and more resilient communities. For my money, I emphasise that bringing communities together seems the most important benefit of this measure.
A number of noble Lords have drawn attention to the problem of timeliness that we have at the moment. Some occasions, especially sporting finals, arise at short notice, giving rise to a great deal of expectancy among the nation about where we will end up. In 2021, when the England men’s team reached the Euro 2020 final, an order was made within three days, as my noble friend Lord Watson and the noble Lord, Lord Hayward, mentioned. However, as noted, in 2023 when the England women’s team reached the World Cup final, it was not possible to extend licensing hours because we were in recess. That does not seem a very good explanation. The negative procedure would allow orders to be made even when Parliament is not sitting, ensuring a swift and proportionate response. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Bailey, for his important work on loneliness, and draw attention, as he did, to the benefit of this Bill regarding loneliness.
Concerns about reduced scrutiny, if any were to be raised, are unfounded. Under the negative resolution procedure, any order remains subject to annulment by either House, preserving Parliament’s ability to scrutinise and challenge as appropriate. The power in Section 172 will continue to be used sparingly, only for occasions of exceptional and important significance. The statutory guidance is clear. Regular special occasions should be anticipated in operating schedules, and the criteria for extensions will remain strictly applied. As the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, noted, there is no evidence that these extensions lead to problems of anti-social behaviour or disorder.
The Bill applies only to England and Wales, as licensing is devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It delivers a focused procedural improvement with real-world benefits, reducing bureaucracy, supporting community celebration and enabling timely action without diminishing parliamentary oversight. The Government fully support the Bill, and I know that noble Lords do also. I am afraid that I cannot end my speech quite as wonderfully as the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, but I hope I have conveyed even a boring Minister’s enthusiasm for this measure.
Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Lab)
My Lords, this has been a good-natured, thoughtful and very convivial debate. I am grateful for all contributions made today.
The noble Baroness, Lady Monckton of Dallington Forest, and the noble Lord, Lord Bailey, made very thoughtful contributions about wider policies that could be adopted to support the hospitality sector. I am sure that the Front Bench heard that. Many of their contributions, I hope, will be considered in the other place when it comes to the Budget and policy ahead. I have one small piece of advice for the noble Baroness, Lady Monckton, on the opening of her pub, from my limited experience of running bars, clubs and festivals. Of the 69 million people who live in this country, the last person she should take advice from on how to change a light bulb is Jeremy Clarkson.
I should have known that the genesis of this Bill was in the mind of the noble Lord, Lord Hayward, because it is clear, proportionate and practical. I am grateful for his support today in a way that I was not grateful for the convincing arguments he made to the Electoral Commission for the removal of Greets Green and Lyng ward from my constituency in the boundary changes. That was a very important part of my life. None the less, I am grateful to him and to both Front Benches.