BIS: IPC and Mulholland demand halt to code of practice
Following yesterday’s Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee meeting, the organisation has called for the business minister Ed Davey to launch a consultation on the issue.
IPC has raised concern that high level pub company executives, from Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns, had meetings with BIS concerning the agreement.
The agreement included strengthening the Industry Framework Code, which will be made legally binding, the formation of a Pub Independent Conciliation Service (PICAS), and a three-year accreditation service for company codes.
Bill Sharp, chairman of IPC said: “IPC already had serious concerns by the manner in which the Government “solution” was to be rushed through by Christmas and to now find that the pub companies have had a hand in its preparation further undermines its legitimacy.
“Licensee representatives have been excluded from the negotiations, which have taken place behind closed doors, between the Government and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) who represent the large pub companies. That is completely unacceptable.
“It is imperative that the Government call an urgent halt to this weak process and launch a full and proper consultation rather than listening just to the big pub companies, - the dominant partners in the BBPA.
“If the Minister does do what is needed and calls a halt to the process, the IPC would be happy to work with Government and engage in a genuine consultation.”
MP and All-Party Save the Pub Group chair Greg Mulholland agreed with the move. He said: "The Government must accept that they have got this badly wrong, hold their hands up and scrap any plans to get current inadequate codes on a legal footing."
"Ministers bafflingly have been happy to cut a deal with the pubcos despite the history of this issue, but they must now afford the same process of negotiation to the Independent Pub Confederation and tenant, small business and consumer organisations.
The IPC, includes the Federation of Small Businesses, CAMRA, Guild of Master Victuallers, Fair Pint, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, Justice for Licensees and the Society of Independent Brewers.
