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Tobacco and Vapes Bill set for Royal Assent after final Lords approval
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its passage through Parliament following consideration of Commons amendments in the House of...
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High Court rejects legal challenges relating to the National Lottery
The High Court rejected in full the claims brought by The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) and Northern & Shell...
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House of Lords approves Devolution Bill as licensing reforms move closer to law
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has cleared its final stage in the House of Lords.
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False statements in licensing proceedings
A man who used AI to create false licensing statements in an attempt to shut down a London nightclub has...
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Government urged to consider full licensing scheme for short‑term holiday lets
The Government is facing renewed pressure to go beyond its planned registration scheme for short‑term holiday lets.
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Peers back shift to national standards for taxi licensing
A government amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has tightened the language around taxi regulation in England.
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Tobacco and Vapes Bill set for Royal Assent after final Lords approval
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its passage through Parliament following consideration of Commons amendments in the House of Lords on 20 April 2026.
Read MoreHigh Court rejects legal challenges relating to the National Lottery
The High Court rejected in full the claims brought by The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) and Northern & Shell PLC (N&S) against the Gambling Commission in relation to the award of the Fourth National Lottery Licence.
Read MoreHouse of Lords approves Devolution Bill as licensing reforms move closer to law
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has cleared its final stage in the House of Lords.
Read MoreFalse statements in licensing proceedings
A man who used AI to create false licensing statements in an attempt to shut down a London nightclub has been prosecuted, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.
Read MoreGovernment urged to consider full licensing scheme for short‑term holiday lets
The Government is facing renewed pressure to go beyond its planned registration scheme for short‑term holiday lets.
Read MorePeers back shift to national standards for taxi licensing
A government amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has tightened the language around taxi regulation in England.
Read MoreHouse of Lords reject mandatory taxi accessibility proposals
The House of Lords has voted down a proposed amendment that would have required all taxis in England to meet minimum accessibility standards within three years.
Read MoreGovernment pressed on welfare of flat‑faced breeds as ministers highlight existing licensing controls
The UK Government has been questioned in Parliament over the welfare of brachycephalic (flat‑faced) animals, with ministers pointing to current licensing frameworks as a key part of their response.
Read MoreGovernment publishes long‑awaited Martyn’s Law Statutory Guidance & consultation on section 12 guidance
The UK Government has published the long‑anticipated statutory guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
Read MoreIoL Gambling Conference 2026
A new government amendment would give licensing authorities statutory powers to introduce gambling impact assessments—marking a significant shift from cumulative impact tools under the Licensing Act 2003. This emerging policy, alongside other key developments, will be examined at the IoL’s upcoming gambling conference.
Read MoreWhat are you interested in?
The Institute of Licensing’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) give members a direct route into the latest developments across key areas of licensing.
Read MoreRaft of licensing‑related bills set for second readings this week
A series of Private Members’ Bills with direct relevance to licensing and regulatory professionals are scheduled for their second reading in Parliament this week.
Read MoreWider licence extensions for pubs during World Cup
The government has confirmed that pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open later during key matches of the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
Read MoreGambling Commission issues updated guidance for casinos and highlights new data work and podcast release
Updated casino MSB rules, new data insights with the bingo sector, and a fresh Inside the Commission podcast feature in the latest Gambling Commission weekly update.
Read MoreGovernment weighs consultation findings on new licensing regime for knife sales
The Government is considering the outcome of a national consultation on introducing a licensing system for knife sales.
Read MoreWelsh Government publishes new driver training films
The Welsh Government has released a suite of new training films for taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers.
Read MoreStratford dog owner banned from keeping a dog for five years
A Stratford dog owner has been ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and banned from keeping a dog for five years for animal cruelty.
Read MoreIndian restaurant allowed to keep licence after right‑to‑work “mistake”
An Indian restaurant in Liscard has been allowed to keep its premises licence after councillors ruled that revoking it would be disproportionate.
Read MoreLidl begins building its first ever pub
The supermarket chain Lidl has begun building its first ever pub at a site in Northern Ireland.
Read MoreTaxi licence refused after councillors cite assault, drugs and drink‑drive convictions
Fife councillors rejected a man’s taxi licence bid after ruling his assault, drug and drink‑drive convictions meant he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
Read MorePubs outrank the gym for Gen Z wellbeing, new poll shows
A night at the pub has a bigger positive impact on young people’s wellbeing than a session at the gym, according to new polling commissioned by the BBPA.
Read More“Record year” for County Lines enforcement
The government has announced a "record year" for County Lines enforcement.
Read MoreGovernment sets out provisional allocations for gambling harm prevention and treatment funding
The government has released provisional allocations for its new VCSE sector gambling harms prevention and resilience fund.
Read MoreNew primate licensing regime now in force from 6 April
England’s new primate licensing regime is now officially in force, marking a significant shift in the regulation of privately kept non‑human primates.
Read MoreIoL Summer Training Conference 2026 – Bookings Now Open
The Institute of Licensing’s Summer Training Conference (STC150726) is now open for bookings.
Read MoreNo autonomous vehicles meet TfL licensing standards, officials confirm
Transport for London has confirmed that no autonomous vehicle currently operating in the UK meets the licensing standards.
Read MoreGovernment strategy highlights role of taxis and PHVs in integrated transport
The government’s Better Connected strategy outlines a vision for integrated local transport, recognising taxis and PHVs as essential to a joined‑up network.
Read MoreCouncils could face new duty to publish data on out-of-area licence suspensions
Proposed changes to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill would require councils to collect and publish annual data on suspensions of out‑of‑area taxi and private hire licences.
Read MoreIoL launches new Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) & Devolution Hub
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has launched a new Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) & Devolution Hub.
Read MoreSIA prepares to publish draft Section 12 guidance as Martyn’s Law marks one year since Royal Assent
SIA has confirmed that draft statutory guidance for Section 12 of Martyn’s Law is in its final stages and will soon be released for public consultation.
Read MoreCamden Council moves to extend late night levy to late‑night refreshment venues
Camden Council has approved plans to update its Late Night Levy, with the most significant change being the inclusion of premises licensed for late‑night refreshment.
Read MoreGovernment publishes new guidance to support self-driving vehicle pilot schemes
The government has released a suite of non‑statutory guidance documents designed to support the safe and effective deployment of self‑driving vehicle pilots.
Read MoreInquiry to examine licensing regimes as part of grooming gangs investigation
The Government’s Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs has confirmed that licensing systems are among the areas it may scrutinise.
Read MoreGambling Commission’s Licensing Authority Bulletin — March 2026
The Gambling Commission’s latest Licensing Authority Bulletin highlights new gaming machine rules, rising illegal machine concerns, lottery guidance and key updates for councils.
Read MoreReminder: Defra LAIA Data Return 2026 Opens on 1 April
DEFRA has published the annual Local Authority Animal Activities (LAIA) data return survey on 1 April 2026.
Read MoreBoarding kennel and cattery firm loses appeal after licence refusal upheld
A Cambridgeshire-based animal boarding business has lost its appeal against a local authority’s refusal to grant it an operating licence, following findings of serious welfare and safety deficiencies.
Read MoreIoL warns government’s taxi licensing overhaul is “unworkable”
The Institute of Licensing warns that government plans to shift taxi licensing to transport authorities are unworkable and risk undermining public safety.
Read MoreGambling Commission e‑bulletin: Key updates at a glance
A roundup of the latest Gambling Commission updates, including consultations, operator surveys, duty changes, new guidance and industry engagement events.
Read MoreFroyle Park prevails after 3-day licence review hearing
Froyle Park successfully defends its premises licence after a rare 3‑day review, with the council rejecting major restrictions and endorsing balanced conditions.
Read MoreIoL urges clarity, collaboration and proportionality in London licensing pilot
The IoL has broadly welcomed the aims of the proposed London Strategic Licensing Pilot but has called for clearer processes, stronger collaboration, and a consistent, evidence‑led approach.
Read MoreGovernment reiterates existing transparency rules for gambling and lottery operators
Government confirms that society and local authority lotteries already face transparency rules and sales limits under the Gambling Act 2005, following questions on subscription‑based lottery oversight.
Read MoreGovernment pressed on future use of dog breed Health Assessment tool
The UK Government has been asked to clarify whether a new “Innate Health Assessment” for dog breeds will be incorporated into statutory licensing rules for breeders.
Read MoreMayor of London handed new strategic licensing powers after Lords clash
The Government has pushed through a significant change to London’s licensing regime.
Read MoreLuton security boss prosecuted for supplying unlicensed security
Security company director Mohammed Shaba and his company Peack Global Security Ltd pleaded guilty to offences under the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA).
Read MoreRapist taxi driver given longer prison sentence
A taxi driver who filmed himself repeatedly raping a vulnerable passenger over several years has his sentence increased after the Solicitor General intervened.
Read MoreLocal Government Reorganisation Statement
ministerial statement confirmed plans to create new unitary councils across Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, adopting five‑council models in Essex and Hampshire and three‑council models in both Norfolk and Suffolk.
Read MoreScotland commits £7.9m to expand services tackling gambling harms
The Scottish Government has announced a £7.9 million investment to strengthen prevention, early‑intervention and treatment services for people affected by gambling harms.
Read MoreGovernment questioned on public transport accessibility including taxis
The debate in the House of Lords on public transport accessibility repeatedly focused on the accessibility of taxis and licensed private hire vehicles (PHVs).
Read MoreCommons backs Lords amendments establishing tobacco and vape licensing regime
MPs have approved a wide package of Lords amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill that lay the statutory groundwork for a new licensing scheme for retailers in England.
Read MoreGovernment consults on proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales
The Government is Iinviting views on the government’s proposed approach to implementing a ban on trail hunting in England and Wales.
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