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Insider view of our new CRM and Professional Standards
Insider view of our new CRM and Professional Standards By Clare McMillan, Head of Professional Standards With the publication of...
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Inside the IoL Policy and Stakeholder Team
Inside the IoL Policy and Stakeholder Team Supporting the Profession, Shaping Policy and Building Partnerships Sue Nelson, Director of Policy...
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What the events team is busy with
What the events team is busy with This is a particularly busy time of year for the events team as...
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Behind the scenes with IoL Communications
Behind the scenes with IoL Communications There’s a version of IoL communications you never see. The version before the polished...
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Licensing News
Scotland records second consecutive fall in alcohol-specific deaths as ministers pledge further action
Alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland have fallen for the second year in succession, according to new figures published by the National Records of Scotland.
Read MoreLondon pedicab rules updated as TfL gains greater flexibility over insurance and enforcement
The Government has introduced the Pedicabs (London) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, making a series of refinements to Transport for London's new licensing regime for pedicabs ahead of its full implementation.
Read MoreGambling Commission publishes new ethnicity-focused gambling harms analysis
The Gambling Commission has published a new statistical research release, Gambling behaviour and harm among people from different ethnic groups.
Read MoreMP seeks clarity on impact of local government reorganisation review on devolution timetable
Questions are being raised in Parliament over whether the Government's review of local government restructuring could affect the timetable for future devolution plans across England.
Read MoreCamden launches accessibility pledge for licensed venues
Camden Council has launched a new voluntary accessibility pledge for licensed venues, aimed at encouraging hospitality, entertainment and cultural businesses to improve access and inclusion for disabled customers.
Read MoreDigital proof of age information pack published for licensing and age-restricted sales stakeholders
A new information pack bringing together guidance on the use of digital proof of age for alcohol sales has been made available to help retailers, hospitality businesses and licensing practitioners navigate recent changes to mandatory licensing conditions.
Read MoreNew Voices in Licensing: the next generation steps up
What does the future of licensing look like? If the latest instalment of the Institute of Licensing's What Brought You to Licensing? campaign is anything to go by, it's in safe hands.
Read MoreTfL consults on proposed zero-emission requirements for newly licensed PHVs
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on proposals that would require newly licensed private hire vehicles (PHVs) in the capital to be fully zero-emission from 2028.
Read MoreThree sentenced for General Election betting offences
Three people have been sentenced for offences of cheating relating to bets placed on the date of the 2024 General Election.
Read MoreFormer Tamworth taxi driver prosecuted for smoking in licensed vehicle
Tamworth Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a former licensed taxi driver after he was caught smoking in a licensed Hackney Carriage.
Read MoreAction taken against unlicensed animal breeders in successful court case
New Forest Council secures conviction over unlicensed dog breeding.
Read MoreHigh Court dismisses £340m Uber claims brought by black cab drivers
The High Court has dismissed claims worth an estimated £340 million brought against Uber by around 13,000 London black cab drivers.
Read MoreL & L Europe pays £900,000 for failures including withdrawal delays
An online gambling business is to pay £900,000 for regulatory failures, including unnecessarily delaying consumer withdrawals.
Read MoreWales introduces new tobacco age-of-sale notice requirements
New regulations have been made in Wales to support the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.
Read MoreNorthern Ireland gambling sector statistics published in latest annual data release
The Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) have published the latest Northern Ireland Gambling Licensing and Industry Data 2025.
Read MoreGovernment tightens rules on high-risk Cosmetic Procedures
The Government has announced a major crackdown on unsafe cosmetic treatments, introducing new restrictions designed to protect the public from unqualified practitioners and prevent serious harm.
Read MoreGambling Commission research highlights motivations behind illegal online gambling use
New research from the Gambling Commission has found that consumers who use illegal gambling websites are driven by a complex mix of motivations, attitudes and personal circumstances, rather than any single factor.
Read MoreGovernment sets out taxi licensing reform plans in response to Transport Committee report
The Government has published its response to the Transport Committee's report on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing, confirming plans for a draft Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Bill and setting out its position on a series of recommendations.
Read MoreWhat brought you to licensing? IoL launches campaign to put licensing careers in the spotlight
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) is launching a new video series that puts the spotlight on the people behind the profession — and their routes into a career they might never have expected.
Read MoreBritain’s night-time economy shrinks by 350 venues in six months, new data shows
The latest NTIA and NielsenIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, Night Time Economy Market Monitor highlights the continued long-term contraction of Britain’s night-time economy, with a net loss of 350 venues recorded during the first six months of 2026
Read More“Successful high streets need effective place-making and place-management” IoL tells Parliament
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has submitted evidence to Parliament’s inquiry into revitalising England’s high streets, arguing that successful town and city centres depend not only on planning and regeneration, but also on strong ongoing regulation, enforcement and partnership working.
Read MoreLocal government reorganisation uncertainty deepens as delayed announcement coincides with fresh legal challenges
Uncertainty surrounding the Government's local government reorganisation (LGR) programme continues to grow, with the sector still awaiting further clarity from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner while a series of legal challenges threaten to further complicate the reform agenda.
Read MoreNew research highlights casinos’ role in drawing visitors to town and city centres
New research has highlighted the contribution Britain’s land-based casinos make to local economies, with findings suggesting they play a significant role in attracting people into town and city centres.
Read MoreNorth London man prosecuted for providing fake references to SIA
Marius Serban was convicted of 2 offences after supplying the SIA with false character references in an attempt to illegally obtain an SIA licence.
Read MoreHospitality sector backs plan to create 100,000 jobs for young people
Britain's leading hospitality businesses have pledged to create 100,000 employment opportunities for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) through a new partnership with the Government and UKHospitality.
Read MoreTaxi licence holders convicted of serious offences raised in Assembly debate
Concerns about convicted taxi drivers retaining their licences for significant periods after being found guilty of serious offences were raised during a session of oral questions in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 13 October.
Read MoreREMEL report calls for reform of music event licensing
Black Lives in Music publishes its Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) Report today, urging partners, policymakers and the wider music industry to back a series of recommendations aimed at tackling racial inequalities in event licensing.
Read MoreNew regulations pave the way for Mayor of London intervention in strategically significant licensing applications
New regulations have been made establishing the framework that will allow the Mayor of London to intervene in certain alcohol, entertainment and late-night refreshment licensing applications.
Read MoreIoL contributes evidence to Parliament’s high streets inquiry
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has played a key role in Parliament’s inquiry into the future of England’s high streets.
Read MoreCopyright Tribunal backs PRS in cinema licensing dispute
The Copyright Tribunal has ruled in favour of PRS for Music in a long-running dispute with the UK Cinema Association (UKCA) over the licensing of music used in cinemas.
Read MoreCattery owner and chicken shop fined in Barnet licensing enforcement action
A cattery owner and a chicken shop operator have been fined following separate prosecutions by Barnet Council for operating without the required licences.
Read MoreOne month to go until NTC2026
In just one month's time, licensing professionals from across the UK will gather in Stratford-upon-Avon for the National Licensing Training Conference 2026.
Read MoreLondon Assembly calls for TfL control over autonomous licensed vehicle regulation
Transport for London (TfL) should be given the power to regulate autonomous passenger vehicle services in the capital.
Read MoreBritain set to lose one pub a day in 2026
British Beer and Pub Association calls on Government to build on their valued support by using the Budget to permanently reform business rates.
Read MoreHome Office updates taxi licensing guidance on right to work checks
Licensing authorities across the UK have been issued updated guidance on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector.
Read MoreGambling minister signals imminent review of ‘aim to permit’ licensing objective
A government consultation on the future of the gambling licensing system could be launched shortly, according to comments made by Vicky Foxcroft, the UK Gambling Minister.
Read MoreIoL to play leading role at inaugural CIEH Licensing Conference
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) will play a major role in the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's (CIEH) inaugural Licensing Conference on 5 November 2026.
Read MoreNewcastle City Council revokes Late Night Levy
Newcastle City Council has voted to revoke its Late Night Levy, ending a scheme that had been in place since November 2013.
Read MoreJersey launches consultation on new alcohol licensing fee structure
Businesses, community organisations and residents in Jersey are being invited to comment on a proposed new alcohol licensing fee regime.
Read MoreSIA steps up enforcement as thousands of intelligence reports trigger regulatory action
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) received more than 2,500 intelligence reports and took hundreds of licensing actions in just three months.
Read MoreUpdated anti-social behaviour guidance reinforces licensing as key tool for tackling alcohol-related nuisance
The Government has updated its statutory guidance on anti-social behaviour (ASB) powers, reaffirming that the licensing regime remains the primary mechanism for dealing with alcohol-related nuisance.
Read MoreWestminster calls for stronger powers to tackle unlicensed street fundraising
Westminster City Council is calling for legislative reform to give licensing authorities stronger powers to tackle unlicensed street fundraising.
Read MoreCasino operators face £5m settlement over regulatory failings
Three major casino operators owned by Rank Group have agreed to pay £5 million following a Gambling Commission investigation that uncovered significant anti-money laundering and safer gambling failures across their land-based operations.
Read MoreNorthern Ireland moves ahead with ‘Lucy’s Law’ to tackle puppy farming
Northern Ireland has taken a significant step towards introducing its own version of Lucy’s Law, with proposals approved to crack down on puppy farming and ban third-party commercial sales of puppies and kittens.
Read MoreUKHospitality calls for licensing reform in new blueprint for high streets
A major new report from UKHospitality has urged Government and local authorities to overhaul licensing and planning systems, arguing that regulatory barriers are preventing hospitality businesses from playing a fuller role in the regeneration of town and city centres.
Read MoreTwo men sentenced after operating an illegal gambling den
Two men have been given suspended prison sentences for possessing and transferring criminal funds obtained through the running of illegal poker games in Cardiff.
Read MoreIoL launches new strategy to strengthen the licensing profession
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has launched an ambitious new five-year strategy aimed at strengthening professional standards, expanding qualifications and working towards Royal Charter status by 2030.
Read MoreConcerns raised over greyhound rehoming as Wales prepares for racing ban
Concerns have been raised about the future rehoming of racing greyhounds as Wales moves forward with plans to become the first UK nation to ban the sport.
Read MoreLGA urges Government to introduce retail licensing to strengthen vape enforcement
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to introduce a retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vape sellers as part of a package of measures designed to strengthen enforcement.
Read MoreWales aligns minimum alcohol pricing with Scotland to “help save lives”
The Welsh Government has increased the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol from 50p to 65p per unit, bringing Wales into line with Scotland in a move ministers say could prevent hundreds of alcohol-related deaths and reduce harmful drinking.
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