Union chief impressed by pubs minister

By James Wilmore

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags John healey Manchester Members of the united kingdom parliament for english constituencies Minister

New pubs minister John Healey has kicked-off a two-week fact finding mission to find out about the issues affecting the trade. Healey met with...

New pubs minister John Healey has kicked-off a two-week fact finding mission to find out about the issues affecting the trade.

Healey met with Licensees Unite president Paul Naylor yesterday at the trade union chief's pub in Sale, Greater Manchester.

Naylor, who runs the Legh Arms, said Healey was "very impressive".

"He's going into a lot of depth with the issues and hopefully he will be able to help us through this difficult period," he said.

Business rates, the beer and AWP tie, Sky and binge-drinking were all topics discussed during the 15-minute meeting, said Naylor, who was joined by his local MP Paul Goggins and Tom Dempsey of Joseph Holt.

Naylor added: "I think they are looking at everything. He's certainly got a busy diary by the sound of things."

Healey is leading a task force of five other government ministers to look at ways of helping pubs.

However, some in the trade have questioned the timing of the pubs minister's appointment so close to the general election.

Healey has promised a "package of practical help" in the next few weeks.

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