Pub social responsibility code to be probed

A national audit firm will scrutinise the trade's commitment to its voluntary code on social responsibility.

The Home Office has hired KPMG to carry out an independent review of the code and report in March.

The code, called the Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcohol and released in 2005, brings together best practice codes from a number of trade groups.

This includes the British Beer and Pub Association, the Bar Entertainment and Dance Association and the Portman Group. It features advice on drinks promotions and happy hours at pubs and clubs and dispersal policies.

The new probe follows the release of the Government's alcohol strategy last year, which promises to "review and consult on the effectiveness of the industry's Social Responsibility Standards in contributing to a reduction in alcohol harm".​

The strategy said that following public consultation, it will "consider the need for regulatory change in the future, if necessary".​

Portman Group chief executive David Poley said: "Responsible retailers and producers should have nothing to fear from this kind of scrutiny. We look forward to demonstrating how our work has raised standards of drinks producer activity."​