Pub licensing hours could be extended for Euros 2024

Pub licensing hours could be extended to 1am for the semi-finals and final of the men's European Football Championships next year should England, Wales or Scotland reach those stages of the tournament.

The government launched a public consultation today proposing that pub licensing hours should be increased from 11pm to 1am if any of the UK nations reach the latter two rounds in Germany.

The Home Secretary is able to extend licensing hours for occasions of "exceptional international, national or local significance".

Pub licensing hours were extended for the men's Euro 2020 final and the King's Coronation bank holiday weekend earlier this year.

Home secretary James Cleverly said: "The plans, which will be subject to public consultation, would provide a welcome boost for the hospitality industry and clarity for pubs and bars.

"This is part of a series of recent government measures to boost the hospitality industry and make sure pubs and bars have the support they need to thrive, including the continuation of relaxed licensing regulations that allow pubs, restaurants and bars to sell takeaway pints without red tape holding them back."

The public consultation welcomes views from licensing authorities and the hospitality industry and will run for 12 weeks.

It comes after operators expressed disappointment at the Autumn Statement last week, which has been described as a "drop in the ocean".