BIS: Norman Lamb appointed minister

The MP for North Norfolk succeeds Ed Davey - who has come under fire for the self-regulation pubco tenant agreement with the British Beer & Pub Association, and most recently the appointment of Rodger Vickers as chairman of the newly-formed Pub Independent Conciliation Advisory Service (PICAS).

Lib-Dem MP Lamb stepped behind the bar at the Pavilion in Hindringham in August to show support of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) campaign to raise awareness of the pub trade. He is also a member of the parliamentary group.

The appointment has already been well-received by pro-pubs MP Greg Mulholland. He tweeted: “Delighted that @normanlamb will be new BIS Minister, congratulations! Just the man to put right the BIS response on pubcos, a true liberal.”

He added: "It is time that BIS showed leadership on the issue of fundamental imbalance in the pub sector between pubcos and licensees that is making otherwise viable small businesses fail and pubs close, which is a loss to the local economy and the local community."

Davey is now the energy secretary after Chris Huhne resigned amid claims he perverted the court of justice over speeding charges.