MPs grant pubs extra time to open if England or Wales reach Women's Euros semis
Pubs have been granted extra time to stay open if the Lionesses reach this year's Uefa Women's Euros semi-finals, MPs have agreed.
Bars will be allowed to sell alcohol until 1am, if either England or Wales – or both – take part in the European Championship semi-finals or finals next month.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said venues 'stand to benefit' from the temporary later closing time, pushed back from the usual 11pm cut-off, and Conservative MP Andrew Snowden warned his father might 'disown' him, had his party not backed the Government's proposal.
But if neither team manages to reach the final stages, pubs will have to stick to their ordinary licence conditions.
The semi-finals take place on July 22 and 23, with the final on July 27.
Dame Diana said this year's championship in Switzerland, which kicks off on July 2, was a 'prestigious tournament'.
She said a Government order paved the way for a 'temporary extension of licensing hours across England and Wales should either England or Wales or both progress to the semi-finals or the final of the competition'.
MPs laughed when she added: 'I have to say, from my limited following of football, it seems like the women's teams have a reputation for doing far better than our male teams.'
A Home Office consultation found 87% of respondents backed the proposed extension of licensing hours for the semi-finals, dropping to 84% for the final, Dame Diana told the Commons.
Publicans 'stand to benefit from this modest extension which would allow them to accommodate increased demand during these high-profile fixtures', she said, and added: 'I fully accept that the hospitality sector has had a difficult time over the last few years and this is a helpful measure.
'It is right to acknowledge as well that police representatives have expressed some concerns regarding the potential for increased crime and disorder.
'Now, whilst operational decisions on deployment and resourcing are a matter for individual forces, I am confident that appropriate measures will be taken to mitigate any risks, as has happened in similar cases.
'Notably, there have been no significant incidents of large-scale disorder linked to previous licensing extensions, which I think is testament to the professionalism of our police service, to whom we owe our thanks.'
The move to extend licensing hours applies only to alcohol, and does not apply to off licences and supermarkets.
'If neither England nor Wales reach the semi-finals, the proposed extension will not apply on July 22 or 23. Similarly, if one or both teams reach the semi-finals but do not progress to the final, normal licensing hours will apply on July 27,' Dame Diana warned.
Mr Snowden, the MP for Fylde, said his party was 'delighted to support these temporary licensing changes'.
He added: 'To be fair, I don't think I would have much choice on this matter, as if I ever stood at this despatch box and opposed more time in the pub to watch football, my dad would probably disown me.'
Mr Snowden told MPs there was 'no reason why we should doubt' that the reigning champions, England, will reach the semi-finals.
'We are the defending champions of the Women's Uefa cup after England's magnificent performance at the 2022 tournament hosted here in the UK at Wembley,' he told MPs.
'The final saw a 2-1 victory, and of course in football, it was made all the sweeter by beating the Germans.
'So this is a fantastic time to support your local as well as your national.'
MPs called 'aye' to approve the extension.
Ministers can extend licences for events 'of exceptional international, national, or local significance', but must ask for MPs' permission.
Labour MP for Wrexham Andrew Ranger has called for a tweak in the law, so that ministers can extend licensing hours without the need for a vote in Parliament.
Dame Diana said the Government has supported his Licensing Hours Extension Bill, but added it would not clear both the Commons and the Lords in time for the Women's Euros.
She said agreeing to Thursday's order – originally laid on May 15 – without a division reinforced 'the argument that debating such measures may not represent the most effective use of parliamentary time'.
England and Wales face each other on July 13, with both home nations in Group D alongside France and the Netherlands.
The Lionesses will face France on July 5 when Wales will play the Netherlands.
On July 9, England will play the Netherlands while Wales face France.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate licensing rules.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Montemurro unveils new-look Matildas squad with big names to miss matches against Slovenia and Panama
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has given Australia's next generation of football talent the nod as he plots a path to the 2026 Asian Cup. Montemurro has cast a wide net for his first Matildas team and named 14 A-League Women players in a 33-strong squad for games against Slovenia and Panama. Matildas captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window, with the trio taking leave. Turning to the ALW is no surprise, given Montemurro's intimate knowledge of the domestic league. The former Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City coach says the four-game window in Western Australia will help the Matildas rediscover their identity. Australia's national women's team have slumped to their equal-worst position, down to No.16, after disastrous Olympics and SheBelieves Cup campaigns. 'When you have this amount of time, you can start to infiltrate some good ideas and make a statement in terms of the way we want to play,' Montemurro said. 'We still want to win football matches. We still want to show you who we are as a footballing nation. 'But more importantly, to really instil some identity, and really instil some belief in this team that you know going forward.' Reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Alex Chidiac and Victory striker Emily Gielnik return to the national team after being overlooked regularly by Tony Gustavsson and Tom Sermanni. Cortnee Vine remains on leave after Montemurro flagged reaching out to the North Carolina Courage winger. Vine, who shot to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic quarter-final penalty shootout at the Women's World Cup, hasn't played for the national team since the Paris Olympics. But Montemurro remains confident Vine will return to the Matildas at some point this year. 'She just feels that she needs a little bit more time to come back, and we respected that,' Montemurro said. 'From my perspective, she's definitely in sight after this camp and beyond.' Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Yallop remains sidelined with a leg injury, while recent debutant Kahli Johnson has been ruled out with a thigh injury. In their place, Montemurro has handed Roar forward Grace Kuilamu and Western United's Adriana Taranto their first call-up. They join five uncapped players who have been selected, while 16 players have fewer than 10 senior international appearances. Vice-captain Ellie Carpenter returns from personal leave, with Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and Sharn Freier returning from injury. Midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, yet to find a new home after her time at Portuguese club Sporting CP came to an end, also returns to the Matildas for the first time since June 2022. 'She's one of these talented players that, in one-on-one situations, is something a little bit special,' Montemurro said. 'It'd be great to just see where she's at.' The Matildas face Slovenia on June 26 and 29, then Panama on July 5 and 8, in Western Australia. AUSTRALIA'S 33-PLAYER SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold*, Chloe Lincoln**, Sally James**, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman* Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy*, Winonah Heatley*, Alexia Apostolakis*, Jessika Nash**, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross*, Alex Chidiac, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler*, Chloe Berryhill**, Amy Sayer, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi**, Alana Murphy, Adriana Taranto**
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
England stay patient after decision to ask India to bat backfires as bowling coach Tim Southee puts his faith in new ball and 'X-factor' Ben Stokes
England bowling coach Tim Southee invited judgment to be reserved until both teams have batted after a 'tough' opening day against India at Headingley. Not since Nasser Hussain inserted Australia in the 2002-03 Ashes has a toss decision at the start of a five-match series been scrutinised as heavily as that of Ben Stokes. Just as in Brisbane, when the hosts piled up 364 for two, the opening hours featured two centurions in Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as England did not make use of what moisture there was in the pitch. 'It was a tough day, but we will get our opportunity to bat soon,' said Southee after India hit 359 for three. 'When you win the toss and bowl you expect to make early inroads, but the Indian openers negotiated the first hour pretty well. Once the wicket flattened, it was a pretty good surface. 'We have a job to do with the second new ball and then there are a few batters who will be keen to get out there.' Only nine balls Gill faced would have gone on to hit the stumps, but Southee highlighted how the favoured mode of dismissal of Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse is caught behind, leading to them operating outside off-stump. With others offering little threat, it was left to Stokes to provide two breakthroughs, striking in each of two spells that made up figures of two for 43. After two hamstring tears in 2024, the 34-year-old is back as an all-rounder, but England fans will not want him to overdo things in an Ashes year. 'There's always a question around that with the injuries he's had, but he's a player that makes things happen, a real X-factor player, and we saw that,' added Southee. 'When he's doing that it's tough to get the ball out of his hand. He's out there making the calls, so if he's feeling like he's threatening he's going to bowl. It's as well as I have seen him bowl for a while.'
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
The assisted dying debate has been politics – but not as we know it
The House of Commons is a place defined by confrontation where political battles play out and engage more actively with their constituents. But the atmosphere could not have been more different on Friday, as those on both sides of the assisted dying debate listened respectfully, almost solemnly, to one another in the final hours before the crucial vote. As MPs headed for the division lobbies, the bill's supporters seemed confident but nervous. When the voting was completed and the result imminent, a long and profound silence fell over the House. From the press gallery, it seemed that the entire Commons was holding its breath together, collectively aware of the historic moment we were all about to witness, whatever the outcome. The woman at the centre of this seismic moment, the bill's sponsor Kim Leadbeater, braced herself as the result came in. Many months of pressure and responsibility appeared to be lifted from her shoulders as the win was announced and colleagues gathered to commend her efforts. Throughout the process this been politics but not as we know it, with party divisions put aside and MPs asked to search their own consciences and come to their own conclusions. It has created a more collaborative atmosphere in parliament and encouraged MPs to engage more actively with their constituents. 3:06 In the end there was still anger, frustration and disappointment among those who were against the law change, either on principle or because they believed the legislation was flawed. And of course, politics will go back to being combative and voices in the Commons will be raised once again. But for a brief period, historic change was calmly ushered in. The challenge for the proponents now is to take the legislation through the next phases and deliver it with the same smoothness and determination.
