Gove calls for alcohol rule change on England's final World Cup morning to sell beer to fans

Michael Gove has written to councils across England urging them to speed up bids for pubs and bars to open early for the Premier League final sunday world after the pub calls The government has called for alcohol rules to be relaxed for Sunday's World Cup final (

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Michael Gove has asked councils across England to let pubs and bars serve alcohol early on Sunday ahead of the Lionesses World Cup final.

Most venues aren't allowed to serve pints and glasses of wine before 11 a.m., but the industry has called for the rules to be relaxed for the big game. The cabinet member has written to local authorities urging them to do "everything they can" to extend the day licenses.

It comes after the Liberal Democrats called for MPs to be called back from vacation to pass the new rules, and a senior Tory said we 'wouldn't think twice' if it came to of the men's team. It is believed that many pubs could run out of alcohol sales ahead of the game, which kicks off at 11am, if they do not request extra time by August 11.

Now the government has called on councils to speed up applications. Tory MP Damian Green, a member of the culture selection committee, wrote in the Telegraph: "We wouldn't hesitate to do this if the men's team played a World Cup final, so let's do it on Sunday."

Alex Greenwood celebrates with Chloe Kelly after the Lionesses reached the World Cup final (

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Level secretary Mr Gove said: "The whole nation is ready to support the Lionesses this Sunday in what is England's biggest game since 1966. I have asked advice from doing all we can to help pubs open earlier on Sunday, so people can get together and have a drink before kick-off for this special occasion."

Millions of people are expected to tune in, with an average of 4.6 million watching England's semi-final against Australia on Wednesday, despite it being a working day. A general change to licensing opening hours across England would require the approval of Parliament, which is not currently sitting as it is the summer break - and requests for emergency recalls to Westminster have been rejected. /p>

Instead, the government is urging local councils and police chiefs to do what...