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Written question asked by James Naish (Labour) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 September 2026 (named day). It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Thursday, 3 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Public Houses: Codes of Practice

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the statutory Pubs Code in ensuring that tied pub tenants are not worse off than if they were free of tie.

Answer

The Pubs Code is underpinned by two principles: 1) the fair and lawful dealing by regulated Pub Owning Businesses of their tied tenants and 2) that tied tenants should not be worse off than if they were not subject to any product or service tie. Effective Market Rent Only (MRO) provisions are key to implementing the second principle.

The third statutory review of the Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator covering 01.04.22- 31.03.25 is in progress. It includes an assessment of the extent to which the Code is consistent with the two principles. The Government’s report will be published as soon as practicable.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
22223
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Codes of practice Public houses
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk