Pubs code gets final approval in Parliament
It means the bill, which includes the statutory pubs code and controversial market rent only clause, will now be put forward for Royal Assent before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the General Election.
The Government has said it will use secondary legislation - likely to be introduced in the autumn - to introduce exemptions from MRO for pubcos willing to make “significant investments” and also to “genuine franchise agreements”
Pubco reform campaigners have hailed it as a victory.
Just welcomed the historic passing of the @FairDeal4Locals#marketrentonly option. A victory for #campaigning, #peoplepower & #Parliament.
— Greg Mulholland MP (@GregMulholland1) March 24, 2015We did it! Final stage of Parliament cleared! #marketrentonly is reality! Time called on the #pubscandal - Thank you all the #PubHeroes
— FairDealforYourLocal (@FairDeal4Locals) March 24, 2015Today the #pubscode & #MRO option presaging a better future for Britain's pubs should pass into law.Delighted for all who played a part.
— Toby Perkins MP (@tobyperkinsmp) March 24, 2015Heineken UK managing director David Forde welcomed the end to uncertainty.
He said: “Whilst we may not agree on every detail of the new legislation, we can all unite in supporting good pubs and publicans. We will rise to the challenge that the legislation sets us to build even more sustainable and mutually profitable partnerships with our lessees.
“It’s now time to move forward together to get more people back into the Great British Pub to secure its future.”
'Let's rise to the challenge of reform' - Heineken UK managing director David Forde writes for the PMA
