In January, Ministers promised MPs, Peers and tied pub tenants the re-assurance of rent assessments and a market rent only option; but yesterday in the Lords, Baroness Neville-Rolfe abandoned the commitment she had previously made.

Bill Esterson MP, Labour’s Shadow Pubs Minister, said:

“Tory Ministers made a commitment and repeated assurances that pub tenants would be protected - they now appear to have gone back their word.

"Pub tenants up and down the country will rightly feel betrayed by the Tories, but Labour will do all it can to create a fair system for pub tenants and pub companies which has widespread support from businesses and beer-drinkers alike.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

On the 28th January, in the House of Lords, Baroness Neville Rolfe speaking about the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act said:

“Our amendments will provide tied tenants with the right to a market rent only agreement at a number of trigger points, including at a rent review; at a lease renewal; when there is a significant and unexpected price increase; or if a local economic event occurs that is outside the tenant’s control.”

“…but when I said that the Government were committed to MRO I really meant it.”

Yesterday, these protections were watered down during the Grand Committee stage of the Enterprise Bill in the House of Lords.

She also said:

“…our amendments provide that they will have the protection of the parallel rent assessment—PRA—which will show them how their tied deal compares with a free-of-tie deal.”

Yesterday, these protections were removed during the Grand Committee stage of the Enterprise Bill in the House of Lords.