Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the press release, Cheers! Football fans to raise a glass for the World Cup, published 8 June 2026, and with reference to the answer of 12 September 2025, to Question 75190, Hospitality Industry: Alcoholic Drinks, if she will make it her policy to reintroduce the easement of automatic take-away / off-sales for all licensed premises that expired in March 2025.

The Government recognises the important role that pubs and restaurants play in local communities and the wider economy. The temporary easement introduced during the pandemic, which allowed on-trade premises to provide off-sales without a variation, expired on 31 March 2025.

Licensed businesses wishing to offer off-sales or takeaway pints can apply to vary their existing premises licence through existing processes under the Licensing Act 2003 for £89. New licence applicants already have the ability to request a licence for both ‘on’ and ‘off’ sales at no additional cost than if they were to apply for a licence for on-sales only.

Whilst we do not currently have plans to re-introduce the easement, we continue to consider how the licensing framework can better support hospitality businesses while maintaining appropriate safeguards.