Police criticise timing of decision on pubs staying open for England match
BBC News 2026-07-03 11:13:54
Context: The UK government has announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open until 05:00 BST on Monday to accommodate fans watching England's World Cup match against Mexico. The decision, made on Thursday, has been criticized by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) for its late timing, which they say will require police to work extended shifts and divert resources from other duties. The match is a crucial last-16 fixture, with the losing team set to be eliminated.
Key Facts
- The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) criticized the government's decision to let pubs stay open until 05:00 BST on Monday, citing the "late announcement" on Thursday as a significant concern.
- The NPCC noted that the government's decision was made even though the football team's likely route through the tournament "has been known for a considerable time", implying that the announcement should have been made earlier.
- Over 600 pubs across England, operated by Greene King, and more than 400 pubs operated by Marston's, will be staying open late to show the match.
- The match against Mexico is scheduled to kick off at 01:00 and is not expected to end until at least 03:00, potentially later if it goes to penalties.
- The TUC has called on employers to allow staff to work flexibly on Monday, with General Secretary Paul Nowak asking firms to "show some common sense and understanding" by permitting employees to work from home or start later.