Mandatory Code – blanket opposition show it’s time to think again, says BBPA
28.07.2009
• BBPA response says “ill-conceived” code will cost industry £58 million
• Blanket opposition at Government workshops
• There’s still time to have your say, says BBPA
There is a growing groundswell of opposition to the Government's plans for a Mandatory Code for the sale of alcohol, says the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
The BBPA has today submitted its own response, in which it labels the proposed Code as “untargeted” and “ill conceived” and has asked the Government to think again about the need for the measure, which will result in more bureaucracy and costs for the trade during acutely challenging times, with 52 pubs now closing every week.
There has also been near blanket opposition to the Code during the Government's series of consultation ‘workshops’ being held across the country. Audiences of police, council officials and licensees have voted strongly against the Code measures in electronic polls taken at the meetings. In Birmingham, 93 per cent were opposed or strongly opposed. At the Nottingham meeting, the figure was 80 per cent, and in Cambridge, 77 per cent.
Over 5,800 Axe the Beer Tax/Save the Pub campaign supporters have already sent their consultation response to Government opposing the proposals via the new web tool launched last weekend on the Axe the Beer Tax website. With less than a week until the close of the consultation, the BBPA is urging all those concerned about the future of the trade to make their own views loud and clear to the Government, through the easy-to-use website tool at www.axethebeertax.com.
In its official response, the BBPA has asked the Government to reconsider the need for a code. Implementation costs are far in excess of Government calculations, at an estimated £58 million, for the pub sector alone in the first year, with ongoing annual costs of £38 million.
The Code proposals also disproportionately affect the on-trade, with the Government seeking to “micro-manage licensed premises.” There is also widespread opposition to the blanket application of local discretionary conditions which could be applied to groups of pubs. Any problem premises can and should be tackled under existing legislation, says the Association.
The raft of other new obligations is of concern to both the trade and enforcement agencies, adding costs and bureaucracy without being considered to have any appreciable effect on crime and disorder.
Martin Rawlings, BBPA Director of Pubs, comments:
“At a time when 52 pubs are now closing every week, the last thing publicans need is this huge bill looming over their heads. It will be a body blow to many struggling pubs. And it is clear that there is little support for this unnecessary legislation, not just among the trade, but also amongst the police and local authorities.
“With pubs struggling and the country in recession, it is hard to accept that the Home Office seems determined to bury the industry in yet more red tape. All the powers needed to deal with the small minority of problem premises are already there. Better enforcement is the only sensible way forward, and the Government need to rethink this entire measure.”
“With public and political concern centered mainly on irresponsible promotions, the Government could quite easily focus on legislating to ban these through a simple amendment to the Licensing Act and would have the full support from the industry, police, local authorities and the public were it to do so. However, the rest of these proposals should be ditched as being unnecessary, excessive and disproportionate.”
While there is still time to have your say, the BBPA is urging those concerned about the Code to visit www.axethebeertax.com, and respond directly to the Home Office using the website tool. Alternatively, publicans can use the form on the BBPA’s own website, link below, where detailed individual comments can be added and emailed back to the Home Office.
Notes to Editor
The British Beer & Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 98 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK and own nearly two thirds of Britain’s 54,000 pubs.
The BBPA’s full response to the Mandatory Code consultation is on the BBPA website, link below.
For further information contact:
Mark Hastings
Director of Communications
mhastings@beerandpub.com
Tel: 020 7627 9151 / 07784 181794