Police criticise timing of decision on pubs staying open for England match
Police have expressed concerns regarding the timing of the government’s decision to permit pubs to remain open until 05:00 BST on Monday for England‘s World Cup match against Mexico. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) stated that the “late announcement” on Thursday would necessitate reassigning officers from other duties and extending shifts.
The NPCC highlighted that the government’s decision was made public on Thursday, despite the team’s potential progression through the tournament having been known for a considerable period. Police are urging fans to be “considerate” and to “drink within sensible limits” during the match, which is a critical last-16 fixture where the losing team will be eliminated.
A joint statement from the NPCC’s football and alcohol policing leads noted that previous tournaments’ knock-out games have seen an increase in violent incidents, particularly within the night-time economy, and a rise in domestic abuse. They added that this is directly linked to alcohol consumption and affirmed their commitment to working with partners and venues to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone.
Licensing Changes and Industry Reaction
Licensing hours had already been extended for the tournament, and the government had initially indicated that it would not further relax these laws. However, late on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer announced that pubs could remain open until the conclusion of the game, which is scheduled to kick off at 01:00 UK time.
The match is not expected to conclude until at least 03:00 and could extend even later if it proceeds to penalties. Pub chains such as Greene King have confirmed that over 600 of their pubs across England will stay open late to broadcast the match, while Marston’s stated that more than 400 of its pubs would also be open.
The decision to allow pubs to stay open until 05:00 for the England v Mexico match followed an intervention by Sir Keir Starmer. The Home Secretary is set to utilise legislative power that permits the extension of alcohol licensing hours for events of “exceptional international, national or local significance.” The Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, is informing council leaders about these changes.
Starmer commented that the decision was positive for both supporters and pubs, stating, “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to. Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together. The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!”
Previously, the government had relaxed licensing rules to account for the time difference with the US, Mexico, and Canada. For matches kicking off between 17:00 and 21:00, pubs could stay open until 01:00. For kick-offs after 21:00, they could remain open until 02:00. However, to stay open beyond these times, venues typically needed to apply for a temporary event notice at least five working days in advance.
Earlier on Thursday, Business Minister Kate Dearden had stated that the government would “unfortunately” not relax the rules further to cover Monday morning’s match for pubs that had not applied in time. She noted that while pubs could stay open for an additional two or three hours depending on the match start time, this did not apply to the 01:00 kick-off.
However, following a strong reaction, including from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Starmer reversed this decision on Thursday afternoon to permit pubs to remain open. This change was welcomed by the hospitality sector. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, expressed delight, stating that pubs and fans would be “over the moon” as the best place to watch the match is at the local pub.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), described the news as “fantastic” and something that would be “hugely welcomed by operators.”
Workplace and School Considerations
Unions have urged businesses to accept flexible working requests from employees for Monday. Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, called on employers to “show some common sense and understanding” by allowing staff to work from home or arrive later if feasible.
The head of the National Education Union (NEU), Daniel Kebede, also indicated a desire for a “flexible start” for schools on Monday morning. However, Education Secretary Bridget Philipson stated that she would not advise parents on bedtime routines but asked them to ensure children attended school on Monday.
The RAC, a motoring organisation, cautioned that those who stay up late should not drive until they are fully rested and hydrated, which might mean not driving until “much later in the day.” They highlighted that tiredness, dehydration, and alcohol can be a dangerous combination when driving.
CIPD, representing HR professionals, advised employers to establish “clear expectations” for Monday’s workday. David D’Souza, the organisation’s director of profession, clarified that employers are not obligated to make special arrangements for World Cup matches, and employees should not assume such arrangements will be automatically available.
The match between England and Mexico is scheduled to kick off at 01:00 UK time.
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Source: bbc.co.uk