Licensing Hours Extensions Act 2026

2026 Chapter 4

An Act to amend the Licensing Act 2003 so that licensing hours orders can be made by negative resolution statutory instrument.

Enacted [12th February 2026]

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

^I11 Procedure for making licensing hours orders¶

Amends Licensing Act 2003 · 3 deletions

197 Regulations and orders

subsections (1) – (2) unchanged

3 A statutory instrument containing regulations or an order under this Act, other than one containing—

paragraphs (a) – (ca) unchanged

d an order under section 172A (relaxation of opening hours for special occasions),

paragraphs (e) – (g) unchanged

is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

4 A statutory instrument containing an order within subsection (3)(aa), (b), (c), (ca), ~~(d),~~ (e) or (g) is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument containing the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

subsection (4A) unchanged

5 An order under section 172A shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

In section 197 of the Licensing Act 2003 (regulations and orders)—

a in subsection (3), omit paragraph (d);

b in subsection (4), omit “(d),”;

c omit subsection (5).

^I22 Extent, commencement and short title¶

1 This Act extends to England and Wales only.

2 This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.

3 This Act may be cited as the Licensing Hours Extensions Act 2026.

Footnotes

I1
S. 1 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 2(2)
I2
S. 2 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 2(2)