Latest Licensing News and Consultations

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 aimed at improving consistency, safeguarding, enforcement and accessibility across the sector.

Responding to the Committee’s report, Raising the standard: licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles, the Government said reform comes at a “pivotal time” and will support wider commitments to strengthen safeguarding and address recommendations arising from the Casey Review. It confirmed that a draft Bill will be published for pre-legislative scrutiny and will seek to improve consistency across licensing frameworks while maintaining a safe and accessible service for passengers.

On the Committee’s recommendation that reform should build on the Law Commission’s 2014 draft Bill and the Task and Finish Group’s work, the Government said it agreed that the Law Commission’s proposals provide a strong foundation for reform. It also accepted that there should continue to be a clear distinction between taxis and PHVs, while drawing on recommendations from both reports when developing legislation. The Government acknowledged that the two reviews reached different conclusions on several issues, including restrictions on out-of-area working and the degree of national consistency that should be introduced.

The Government’s response also addressed concerns about extensive out-of-area working. The Committee had called for measures to encourage drivers to be licensed where they primarily operate and to make enforcement more effective. The Government accepted that out-of-area working has contributed to inconsistent standards, enforcement challenges and incentives for licence shopping. It said proposals for national standards and consultation on transferring licensing functions to Local Transport Authorities could help address those issues.

The response highlights recent legislative changes intended to strengthen enforcement powers. Under provisions introduced through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, local authorities will be able to suspend licences immediately in the interests of public safety regardless of where a driver is licensed. The Government said guidance would be issued to support consistent use of those powers.

However, ministers stopped short of backing significant restrictions on cross-border working. The response notes that taxis and PHVs are often essential for journeys that cross administrative boundaries and warns that tighter restrictions could reduce vehicle availability, increase waiting times and affect access to transport, particularly in less well-served areas. The Government said any reforms would need to balance passenger safety, safeguarding and effective regulatory oversight with the need to maintain a reliable service.

The Committee also recommended that the Department for Transport publish a comparative appraisal of different licensing models following consultation on transferring licensing responsibilities to Local Transport Authorities. The Government accepted this recommendation and confirmed that its response to the consultation will consider a range of approaches, including Local Transport Authority-based licensing and more nationally consistent arrangements. The assessment will examine how different models could improve consistency, better align licensing and enforcement functions, and reduce incentives for out-of-area working.

Overall, the response signals support for greater national consistency in taxi and PHV licensing, while leaving open key questions about the future structure of licensing authorities and the extent to which cross-border working should be restricted. Further detail is expected when the Government publishes its consultation response and draft legislation later this year.

Digital proof of age can now be accepted for alcohol sales in licensed premises across England and Wales, following the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026 on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The change allows licensed businesses to choose to accept certified digital proof of age alongside existing physical forms of identification.

Under the new arrangements, pubs, bars, restaurants, shops, music venues and other licensed premises can adopt certified digital age-verification services to confirm that a customer is aged 18 or over when purchasing alcohol. Physical identification documents will remain valid, and businesses are not required to adopt digital proof of age.

The Government has described the change as providing a secure, additional method for age verification, enabling customers to prove their age using certified digital identity services on their mobile phones without necessarily sharing wider personal information such as their name or address. The measures are intended to support faster and more secure age checks while maintaining existing safeguards against underage alcohol sales.

The legislation follows parliamentary approval of the amendment order earlier this year and now formally amends the mandatory licensing conditions relating to age verification. Digital proof of age must be provided through a certified Digital Verification Service listed on the statutory register and meeting the standards set out within the UK digital verification services trust framework.

Licensing authorities should note that the change is now in force and ensure that references to mandatory licensing conditions, licensing information, guidance material, policy documents, application advice and any locally published Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 information are reviewed and updated where necessary to reflect the revised legal position.

The Government has also confirmed that statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 has been updated to reflect the change, alongside additional non-statutory guidance for businesses and digital verification providers.

While the amendment introduces a new option for age verification, it does not alter the legal drinking age or the responsibility on licence holders to prevent underage sales. Licensed premises adopting digital proof of age remain responsible for ensuring that any digital age-verification service used complies with the requirements set out in the legislation and accompanying guidance.

The Government is to increase the number of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) that can be used at individual premises in England and Wales, giving pubs, hospitality businesses, community organisations and other venues greater flexibility to hold temporary events.

In a Written Statement to Parliament on 10 September 2026, Home Office Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that the Government is laying the Licensing Act 2003 (Permitted Temporary Activities) (Amendment) Order 2026.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the changes will come into force on 1 January 2027 and will increase the maximum number of TENs that can be given in respect of a premises from 15 to 20 in any calendar year. The maximum number of days on which temporary licensable activities can take place will also increase from 21 to 26 days.

The higher limits were previously introduced on a temporary basis during the COVID-19 period. The Government says that experience demonstrated the value of providing premises users with additional flexibility and has therefore decided to make the increased limits permanent.

The change is intended to support local economies, high streets and community activity by making it easier for businesses and organisations to organise events without requiring a variation to their premises licence or a new premises licence.

Importantly, the increase in permitted TENs will not remove the existing safeguards under the Licensing Act 2003. The four licensing objectives will continue to apply, and responsible authorities, including the police and environmental health authorities, will retain the ability to object to TENs where there are concerns about the promotion of those objectives.

The Government’s decision represents a significant increase in the flexibility available to premises operators. For businesses that regularly rely on TENs for seasonal events, festivals, extended opening hours or other temporary activities, the additional five notices and five permitted days each year could provide considerably more scope to operate outside the terms of their existing premises licence.

The changes will apply to England and Wales and are expected to take effect from 1 January 2027.