House Of Lords

‘Interim position’ or new forum needed? Lords weigh in on hospitality minister debate

04-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Almost a month after a selection of cross-party MPs backed a motion to appoint a dedicated minister for the hospitality sector, peers grilled the Government on its plans to further support the industry.

Baroness McIntosh takes hot seat at PASS

01-Mar-2018 By Stuart Stone

Baroness Anne McIntosh of Pickering has taken up the chair of the board position of the recently revamped PASSCo community interest company, which operates the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS).

National Pubwatch appoints new honorary president

07-Feb-2018 By Stuart Stone

Lord Roy Kennedy of Southwark has been appointed as the new National Pubwatch honorary president after many years of working closely with the pub and hospitality trade in his role as a Labour vice-chairman of the all-party parliamentary beer group.

Government response to Licensing Act review is 'delayed and defensive'

21-Dec-2017 By Georgina Townshend

During a debate this week, members who served on the House of Lords Licensing Act 2003 committee said they were "disappointed" in the Government's "delayed and defensive" response to their report, which said the legislation needs...

House of Lords to debate Licensing Act scrutiny report along with Government's response

19-Dec-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The House of Lords is set to debate the legislative scrutiny report on the Licensing Act 2003 this week, which was published in April and described the legislation as 'fundamentally flawed', together with the Government's response, which...

Diageo National Pubwatch Awards unveils winners

03-Nov-2017 By Claire Churchard

Romford Town’s Pubwatch scheme collected the top prize at the glittering Diageo National Pubwatch Awards last night for its significant contribution to community safety.

Hartlepool Borough Council rejects EMRO

03-Oct-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Hartlepool Borough Council has rejected an early-morning restriction order (EMRO), claiming there was ”insufficient evidence” to justify one.

Best Bar None calls for entries to annual awards

19-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Best Bar None (BBN), the responsible drinking scheme backed by the Home Office and police, is calling for entries to its annual awards.

Former beer group chair John Grogan MP 'delighted to be back'

23-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The former chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) John Grogan, the MP for the Yorkshire constituency of Keighley, said he would be taking an interest in beer and pub industry issues in the House of Commons on his re-election after a seven-year...

General election 2017

ALMR election manifesto focuses on Brexit and business rates

04-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Business rates reform and employment rights for EU workers after Brexit are the main pillars of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers' (ALMR) manifesto ahead of the general election.

Lords accept amendments to Neighbourhood Planning Bill

26-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

Pub campaigners cheered yesterday as the House of Lords backed amendments to the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, meaning it will now receive Royal Assent and become law.

MPs ‘hope’ to pass Neighbourhood Planning Bill ahead of election

25-Apr-2017 By Claire Churchard

Pubs minister Andrew Percy has told parliament that the Government hopes to get the Neighbourhood Planning Bill (NPB) through before the assembly is dissolved ahead of the snap general election on 8 June.

Pub legislation could be scrapped due to general election

21-Apr-2017 By Michelle Perrett

New laws impacting the pub sector could be delayed or scrapped as parliament is dissolved to make way for the general election on 8 June.  

BBPA responds to Hackney levy consultation

11-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has officially responded to Hackney Council’s consultation on introducing a late-night levy at a time where the House of Lords looks to abolish the order all together. 

Lords’ licencing recommendations prompt industry caution

04-Apr-2017 By Georgina Townshend

With a major overhaul of the Licensing Act proposed, industry groups have warned that recommendations made by the House of Lords around minimum pricing for alcohol should be approached with caution.

Major overhaul proposed for ‘fundamentally flawed’ Licensing Act

04-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The chair of the House of Lords inquiry into the Licensing Act 2003 has described the legislation as “fundamentally flawed”, and a number of proposals have been made to fix it in a report published today (4 April).

House of Commons pass Permitted Development Rights amendment

29-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Members of Parliament and Industry groups have welcomed new proposals passed by the House of Commons yesterday to “protect” pubs from change of use and demolition.

Date confirmed for results of Lords licensing review

28-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

The House of Lords will announce the findings of its inquiry into the 2003 Licensing Act next Tuesday (4 April).

BBPA concerns ‘addressed’ by latest amendment to permitted development rights

27-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Government’s latest proposal to change ‘permitted development rights’ (PDR) has “addressed concerns” that food-led pubs could have been disadvantaged under Lord Kennedy’s proposal, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said.

MP shines spotlight on pub development laws

23-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Simon Danczuk MP has asked a Government minister to clarify the effect permitted development rights have had on pub closures.

Exclusive

Industry bodies to urge minister to ‘stop extraordinary pubs rates rises’

02-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Three pub industry bodies and a group of MPs plan to write an open letter to government communities secretary Sajid Javid urging the minister to take "immediate action” to stop the “extraordinary rises in business rates for pubs”.

MP's request for pub tax debate denied

02-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Budget will provide opportunity to raise questions over the way pubs are taxed, says the leader of the House of Commons. 

BBPA and CAMRA divided over planning law amendment

01-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have weighed in over potential changes to permitted development rights for pubs.

Institute of Licensing chairman term extended

23-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Following a board meeting earlier this month (February), the Institute of Licensing has extended Daniel Davies’s term as chairman until February 2020.

Pubs minister refuses to be drawn on beer duty cut

09-Feb-2017 By Liam Coleman

Andrew Percy, the pubs minister, has said it is possible the Government may bow to industry pressure and cut beer duty in March's Budget.

PCA appointment rethink backed by Parliament

26-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

Parliament has delivered a further blow to Paul Newby by backing a motion calling on the Government to "reopen the appointment process for the PCA (pubs code adjudicator)".

Lords to debate change in pub planning laws

19-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

The end of permitted development rights on pubs could be in sight after it was confirmed that the House of Lords would debate changing the regulations as part of the Neighbourhood Planning Bill.

Pubs code

Newby's position to be debated in parliament

11-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

Outgoing chair of the Save the Pub Group, Greg Mulholland, has been granted a debate in the House of Commons on Paul Newby's position as pubs code adjudicator and the implementation of the code.

Legislation

Mulholland accuses BBPA of misleading parliament

19-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group chairman Greg Mulholland has made a stinging attack on the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) accusing it of misleading MPs in a vote on development rights for pubs.

Licensing

House of Lords licensing report expected by April

09-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The House of Lords licensing committee is expected to publish its report into the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 by the beginning of April 2017.

Pubs code

Mulholland calls for urgent parliamentary debate on Newby appointment

02-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Chair of the Parliamentary Save the Pub group, Greg Mulholland MP, has called for an 'urgent debate in Government time' to discuss Paul Newby's position as the pubs code adjudicator.

Licensing

Night Tube and Fabric up for discussion at Licensing Act review

24-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

Creating a night-time economy that suits local residents, the Night Tube's impact on London and the effect of pre-loading on crime are all up for discussion at the next session of the House of Lords review of the 2003 Licensing Act.

Licensing Act 2003

Legal analysis: expert opinion sought by Lords

23-Nov-2016 By Poppleston Allen

Legal experts Poppleston Allen reveal some of the questions asked at the panel session held at the House of Lords select committee this month (November).

House of Lords committee

JDW boss calls on Lords to grill supermarkets over VAT

14-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has called on the House of Lords select committee to question supermarkets on VAT and rates in its next hearing. 

British Pub Week

MPs show support for British Pub Week

02-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

Pro-pub politicians have been showing their support for the great British pub at a British Pub Week event in central London.

licensing

Lords licensing committee to hear from public health experts

20-Oct-2016 By James Evison

The impact of the Licensing Act 2003 legislation on public health will be explored at the House of Lords committee meeting next week.

House of Lords Licensing inquiry

What pubs need from the Licensing Act inquiry

05-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

As the House of Lords Select Committee inquiry on the Licensing Act 2003 continues today, industry bodies called for stability in the system and a focus on reducing the cost and burden of enforcement.

Works Must Pay

'The legislation sucks': Parliamentary motion seeks justice for licensees

26-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

MP Greg Mulholland has submitted an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for ‘Roadworks justice for local businesses’ in response to The Morning Advertiser’s roadworks campaign – Works Must Pay.

Licensing Act 2003

Lords licensing committee to quiz think-tanks on Act

18-Jul-2016 By James Evison

The House of Lords committee assessing the Licensing Act 2003 and the liberalisation of opening hours will hear from experts tomorrow (Tuesday 19 July).

Legislation

Pubs code: 'Hundreds missing out on MRO' as delay continues

29-Jun-2016 By James Evison

Save the Pub and British Pub Confederation chair Greg Mulholland has called on business minister Anna Soubry to provide an implementation date for the pubs code - and make it retrospective.

Pubcos

Punch: Tenants should go to trade bodies for MRO advice - not us

28-Apr-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Punch has urged tenants not to turn to their Punch Development Managers (PDMs) for advice on the pubs code and instead consult independent trade bodies like the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR)...

Comment: Will good things come to those who wait?

05-Apr-2016 By Mike Berry

For tied tenants and their campaigners, the wait for reform and a pub statutory code of practice has been a lengthy and frequently frustrating one.

Shut down pubs that don't cater for disabled people, says House of Lords

24-Mar-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Pubs that don’t provide facilities for disabled people should be shut down, according to a new report by a House of Lords committee.

Legislation

Pubs adjudicator: concerns over appointment branded 'disgraceful set of slurs'

10-Mar-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Accusations from British Pub Confederation chair and Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland that newly appointed pubs code adjudicator and Fleurets director Paul Newby will not be independent have been branded a ‘disgraceful set of slurs’ by business minister...

Chef shortage

MPs and trade call for action to solve pub chef shortage

23-Feb-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Trade leaders and Members of Parliament have called for action to solve the pub chef shortage at an awards ceremony at the House of Commons last night (23 February).

Legislation

Deadline for pubs code consultation extended until 2016

01-Dec-2015 By Emily Sutherland

The deadline for the pubs code consultation has been extended in order to give the industry more time to respond, following concerns many tenants would be unable to respond in the busy run-up to Christmas.

'Mulholland is a formidable campaigner and MP. But he overstepped the mark'

13-Nov-2015 By Mike Berry

Panto season started early this week. Traditionally we have to wait until Christmas-time for our annual dose of slapstick but after Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland’s appearance at the Tenanted Pub Company Summit in London it felt like the entertainment had...

Legislation

Pubs Code: Call for draft to be scrapped

11-Nov-2015 By Oli Gross

Despite the Government’s U-turn on removing Parallel Rent Assessments from the pubs code, campaign groups are demanding the draft is scrapped and rewritten before consultation can begin as it faces conflicting criticisms.

Legislation

Draft pubs code: U-turn as Parallel Rent Assessments back in consultation

10-Nov-2015 By Oli Gross

Government has reversed a decision to remove Parallel Rent Assessments (PRA) from the Pubs Code after facing fierce criticism for its admission.

What are Jeremy Corbyn's views on pubs?

14-Sep-2015 By James Evison

Jeremy Corbyn, the new leader of the Opposition, is a teetotaller, and despite delivering his victory speech in a Westminster pub, he hasn’t spoken often on them in parliament. But that hasn’t stopped him supporting a wide range of pub-related motions...