Peers back streamlined licensing extensions for national events but urge broader support for hospitality sector

Peers in the House of Lords gave strong support to the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill during its second reading on 24 October 2025.

The Bill proposes a procedural reform to streamline the process for extending licensing hours nationally during events of exceptional significance. Licensing professionals should note its potential to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining parliamentary oversight.

The Bill seeks to amend Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 by replacing the current affirmative resolution procedure with a negative resolution process. This change would allow the Home Secretary to grant temporary national licensing extensions without requiring prior parliamentary debate, particularly useful when Parliament is in recess.

Importantly, the Bill retains safeguards: Parliament can still object via the prayer mechanism, and extensions remain limited to events of exceptional international, national, or local significance.

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour), who introduced the Bill, emphasised its practical benefits for pubs and hospitality venues, especially during major sporting events or royal celebrations. He cited past delays—such as during the Lionesses’ 2023 World Cup final—as justification for reform. Lord Sandhurst (Conservative) praised the Bill’s deregulatory spirit, describing it as “Conservative-minded” for reducing red tape while empowering communities to celebrate safely. Lord Hayward, former CEO of the British Beer & Pub Association, endorsed the Bill as a “small but necessary” step to resolve longstanding procedural bottlenecks.

Several peers used the debate to highlight broader challenges facing the hospitality sector. Baroness Monckton of Dallington Forest (Conservative), who recently opened a pub for her charity Team Domenica, warned that recent tax and NIC changes have disproportionately harmed part-time employment and venue viability. Lord Bailey of Paddington (Conservative) cited a 15.8 percent contraction in the nighttime economy and urged action on VAT, business rates, and youth employment. Lord Lemos (Government Whip) acknowledged these concerns and pointed to a July 2025 task force report with ten licensing reform recommendations, now under consultation until 6 November.

The Bill now proceeds to Committee stage.