Peers urged to throw out mandatory code

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has mounted a last-gasp effort to stop the controversial mandatory code of practice becoming law, by urging peers to drop the measures this week.

The code will be debated in the Lords tomorrow as part of the final parliamentary procedures for agreeing the Policing and Crime Bill.

An amendment has been tabled calling for the code to be dropped from the Bill - and peers could be asked to vote on it tomorrow.

The code is designed to crack down on irresponsible promotions, but also includes a host of other measures which would add to the burden of red tape for pubs.

Brigid Simmonds, the BBPA's chief executive, has written to peers urging them to support the amendment and dump the code.

Her letter states: "The proposed code of practice is ill-conceived, and the proposals will result in bureaucracy and cost for businesses without having any significant impact on the issues that the government is seeking to address."

She says there are already a wide range of existing powers that could address the problems and adds that the code would cost the industry almost £58m in the first year.

Simmonds says the BBPA recognises "irresponsible" promotions are an issue and has asked the Home Office to amend the Licenisng Act ti include a clampdown on these offers.

She added: "Concerns about the code have grown over the summer.

"There is virtually no support for it from any quarter, and there is now widespread opposition from both local authorities and police forces.

"I hope peers will heed concerns about this unnecessary measure."