GMB to meet shadow business minister Toby Perkins over pubco-tenant issue

GMB branch secretary David Mountford and GMB officer David Castledine are to meet shadow minister for small business Toby Perkins MP on 2 November about the campaign for a statutory code on the pubco-tenant relationship, which was called for last year by the Business, Innovation & Skills Committee (BISC).

It follows the PMA’s report last week that the new minister in charge of pubco-tenant issues Jo Swinson has washed her hands of the self-regulation deal.

The Government department said: “The commitments made in the Government’s statement last November have been achieved.”

Mountford and Castledine are to meet Perkins at his Chesterfield constituency office and will ask the shadow minister to make “proper regulation” an issue at the next general election which is due in 2015.

“Consumer minister Jo Swinson says that the self-regulatory Industry Framework Code in place is working properly so no further involvement is needed by Government,” said Mountford.

“GMB and tied tenants profoundly disagree that this is the case. With Toby Perkins MP, Labour’s shadow minister for small business, we will discuss ways of stepping up the campaign for a statutory code.

“GMB want a manifesto pledge to make this an issue at the next general election for pub tenants and pub customers. The underlying issue of pubs being priced out of the market is not being tackled at all.

“Sky high rents that have pushed the price of a pint £1 above the level justified by inflation and changes in taxation. That is why sales of beer in the “on trade” are down nearly 40% on the peak levels in 2002.

“I will raise how the Industry Framework Code and PICAS are working. Apart from the absurd claims that this Code is legally binding I will point to the yawning gaps in it and seek support for a Code drawn up by the tenants.”