Binley slams Government response to Pubco’s inquiry

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has slammed the Government’s response to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committees report in to the Pubco’s inquiry.

Brian said: “I am bitterly disappointed in the Government’s reaction to the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Select Committee Report on Pub Companies (Pubcos). The Select Committee report suggested a major overhaul of the system but the Government’s response suggests they are tinkering with the brakes when they should be repairing the steering and reinvigorating the power unit. It looks like they have sold out to the pubco’s and their agents.”

“This is the fourth report the Select Committee has undertaken since 2004 into the relationship between pubco’s and their tenants and pubco’s have been given every opportunity to work to a voluntary code of practice, which they have deliberately failed to do.”

“This Government promised the Select Committee it would enact a Statutory Code of Practice if the Committee at the fourth time of asking, suggested that was the way to proceed. But the Government has reneged on that promise and I find that simply unacceptable.”

“Tenants the length and breadth of the Country provided a depth of evidence which suggested pubco’s are often lying to them with regard to the financial structures of pubs they are about to takeover, exaggerating the return and belittling the expenses.”

“Time and time again we have heard cases of heartache and despair from publicans who have invested and lost their life savings and instead of listening to the evidence presented to the Select Committee and their subsequent recommendations the Government has sold out to pubco’s and their agents despite their initial promise.”

“Don’t the Government realise that landlords are some of the leading opinion formers in the land and not only is it bad for business, but it is also bad for the Coalition Government.”

“It is clear they don’t understand the importance of pub landlords in this respect and they will pay a massive price for their sell out.”

“I shall now contact the BIS Select Committee Chairman, Adrian Bailey MP to consider our position as a Select Committee and I shall also contact Greg Mulholland, my fellow Officer of the Save the Pub Group to see what action we can take to get the Government to change this disastrous position before it’s too late.”

“Let me conclude by saying this is not about the small breweries it is about the big pubco’s.”