England's 10-man squad emerged victorious against Mexico in the World Cup, with five goals, two penalties, one red card, and six yellow cards. The match, which ended around 4am, left fans bleary-eyed but jubilant.
Pub Sales Surge
Pubs extended licensing hours from 2am to 5am after the outgoing prime minister approved the change. Heineken UK's managed operator pubs reported a 67% boost in sales, with food sales up 81%, cider up 127%, and lager up 76%. Stonegate Group, the UK's largest pub company, poured 796,000 drinks across its estate, 355,000 more than a typical Sunday. Dojo, a UK-based card payment provider, noted an average spending boost of 11% for venues.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "This was an outstanding night for the Three Lions and fans. Sport and pubs go hand in hand which is why the tournament is a huge boost for pubs."
School Attendance Drops
School attendance fell more than three percentage points on Monday. Data from over 12,000 state schools in England showed attendance at 89.79%, compared with 93.09% the previous week. Unauthorised absence nearly doubled to 5.61%. Some schools offered late registration or World Cup-themed breakfasts. Annfield Plain infant school saw 100% attendance with a relaxed register open until 10am. Head teacher Martin Urwin said: "It's really worked for us. Attendance is a really big priority for us."
Early education minister Olivia Bailey disagreed with Jude Bellingham's suggestion that children skip school. She told Times Radio: "I would absolutely encourage kids to get themselves into school this morning. They might feel a bit tired, but it'll be a good day at school."
Workplaces and Roads
International Workplace Group reported that its UK workspaces were as busy as a normal Monday. The AA said workload was steady, but warned against driving while fatigued. Tony Rich, AA road safety spokesperson, said: "Workload has been steady for The AA so far this Monday, but after a late night staying up to watch England, drivers shouldn't underestimate the effects of fatigue."
