🍻 Licensing Hours Extension Bill

Commons Chamber

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The Licensing Hours Extension Bill aims to simplify the process of extending pub opening hours during significant national events by changing the approval procedure from affirmative to negative resolution, allowing quicker decisions even when Parliament is not in session. MPs from various constituencies expressed strong support, highlighting the bill’s potential to boost the hospitality sector and foster community spirit during celebrations. The bill received cross-party backing, with MPs sharing anecdotes about their local pubs and the importance of these venues in community life. The government endorsed the bill, emphasizing its benefits for businesses, communities, and local authorities, and its passage is seen as a step towards supporting the struggling pub industry.

Summary

  • The Licensing Hours Extension Bill aims to amend the Licensing Act 2003 by changing the procedure for extending licensing hours from the affirmative to the negative resolution procedure. This change will simplify the process, allowing pubs and hospitality venues to stay open longer during significant national events without needing individual applications.

  • Andrew Ranger, MP for Wrexham, introduced the Bill, highlighting the importance of pubs as community hubs and their role in combating loneliness. He also mentioned Wrexham’s contribution to tourism (£120 million annually) and named several local pubs.

  • The current process under the Licensing Act 2003 allows the Home Secretary to extend licensing hours during exceptional events but is hindered by the need for parliamentary approval, which is not possible during recesses. This has led to missed opportunities during important events like the Lionesses’ World Cup final in 2023.

  • The Bill seeks to rectify this by allowing quicker implementation of licensing hours extensions, particularly beneficial for short-notice events like sporting finals. It aims to save businesses time and money, reduce the administrative burden on local authorities, and support the hospitality sector facing declining numbers of pubs.

  • Several MPs, including Graeme Downie, Matt Turmaine, Sir Roger Gale, and Richard Holden, supported the Bill, emphasizing the social and economic importance of pubs and the need to ease the process for licensing extensions.

  • Welsh MPs Gill German and Claire Hughes supported the Bill, stressing its significance for Welsh culture and the local economy, especially during national sporting events.

  • Other MPs, like Mike Reader and Nesil Caliskan, highlighted the Bill’s potential to relieve pressure on local businesses and councils, and support local economies.

  • The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, endorsed the Bill, noting its simplicity and the government’s support. She emphasized the importance of consulting with the police to manage potential crime and disorder during extensions.

  • The Bill maintains the criteria for extending licensing hours to occasions of exceptional international, national, or local significance, without increasing the frequency of such extensions.

  • The Bill was read a second time and moved to a Public Bill Committee for further consideration.

Divisiveness

This parliamentary session showcased a constructive and cooperative tone among Members of Parliament regarding the Licensing Hours Extension Bill. Members from several constituencies spoke in favor of it, emphasizing the cultural, social, and economic benefits of extending licensing hours during significant national and international occasions. The session saw agreement across party lines, with no noteworthy instances of disagreement or conflict. The minor concerns raised about potential oversights, such as those concerning public safety and balancing deregulatory ambitions, were presented respectfully and constructively. Therefore, the session reflects a very low level of disagreement and a high degree of consensus, deserving a rating of 2 for disagreement.