Labour makes commitment to pubs
Labour has committed to supporting pubs - and making it more difficult to demolish them - as part of its election manifesto.
The statement echoes the support package announced by minister for pubs John Healey last month.
Under the communities section of the manifesto it states that pubs are an important part of community life that, like Post Offices, need to be protected.
The manifesto states: "The local pub and social club are also hubs of community life. Too many pubs have closed that could have been sustained by local people.
"We will support pubs that have a viable future with a new fund for community ownership in 2010-11.
"Councils must take full account of the importance of pubs to the local community when assessing proposals that change their use, and we will make it more difficult to demolish pubs."
It goes on to say that non-tied options should be made available for tied tenants and that Labour plans to make it easier for pubs to stage live entertainment without a licence.
Commenting on the manifesto Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, said the trade union would now be pressing other parties on where they stand.
He said: "GMB welcomes this commitment, pub customers now have an opportunity to vote to end the tie and secure a fairer deal for themselves, the pub tenants and their local communities.
"There will be husting election meetings across the country and GMB members will be asking candidates from other parties where they stand on this issue."
CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner added: "The proposals in the manifesto have the potential to make the UK pub market a freer, more competitive environment where consumers benefit from greater choice, improved amenity and lower prices, and on the planning side.
"CAMRA welcomes these proposals which will help halt pubs being demolished unnecessarily through curbing the use of restrictive covenants. However, CAMRA hopes the Labour Party stand by all the points included in the package of reforms outlined by John Healey MP in March, including a guest beer right for tied tenants, as these points remain vital to the future of community pubs."
