Greene King tells MPs new code 'exceeds' industry requirements

Greene King has told MPs investigating pubcos its new licensee code of practice "exceeds the requirements" set out in the framework template for the industry.

The Suffolk-based company has submitted written evidence, made public today, to MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills committee, who are preparing to re-examine pubco practices.

Greene King has given separate evidence from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), as its membership of the trade group has been terminated after a 12-month notice period.

"As you will be aware, Greene King is no longer a member of the British Beer and Pub Association," the evidence says.

"Nonetheless, our code follows the BBPA's industry framework and is accredited by BII Benchmarking and Accreditation Services (BIIBAS)."

It goes on to say that Greene King recognises "the importance you and your fellow committee members attach to the development of codes of practice in the context of the evolution of tied agreements and it is our firm belief that the Greene King code and, the way we will deliver it, exceeds the requirements laid out in the UK Pub Industry Framework in January 2010."

It emerged earlier this week the Independent Pub Confederation had expreseed concern to the MPs about slow progress by the pubcos in reforming.

Greene King points out that its code was developed after a survey of its licensees, which attracted 574 responses.

Among its new commitments are training for licensees before they sign an agreement and an annual business review to help identify problems.

The company says it is also carrying out "extensive training" of its business development mangers to "ensure they are able to deliver and implement" what is in the code of practice.

Greene King has also says it has sent a copy of its evidence to employment relations minister Ed Davey.

A parliamentary evidence session on the pubcos is expected to be called by the BIS committee in the New Year.

In the previous Parliament pubcos were given until June 2011 to get their house in order or face government intervention.