Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what progress he has made on introducing additional Market Rent Only gateways and opt-out provisions for pub tenants.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Following the publication of the third statutory review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) on 14 September 2026, a series of stakeholder engagement exercises has been launched.
This engagement will take place throughout the autumn and winter period to understand the views of tied pub tenants, pub-owning businesses and other interested representative groups on the review's findings and recommendations, including those relating to additional Market Rent Only gateways and opt-out provisions. The Government will consider the evidence gathered through this engagement before deciding what changes to the Pubs Code framework are required.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging mediation between pub tenants and Pub Operating Businesses for rent disputes resulting from Market Rent Only proceedings.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The UK Government published the third statutory review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) covering 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025 on 14 September 2026. The review concluded that the Pubs Code is operating consistently with its two core statutory principles.
The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has statutory functions in relation to the enforcement of the Code and the resolution of certain disputes. Where parties are engaged in Market Rent Only proceedings, they may choose to seek to resolve matters through discussion, negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution where appropriate.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Guest Beer Agreement in England and Wales, similar to the Guest Beer Agreement already in place in Scotland.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government has been reviewing beer market access to consider whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries from accessing pubs. As part of this work, Ministers have met with stakeholders from across the sector to consider the evidence submitted. The issues raised are complex, and the Government is carefully assessing all relevant evidence, alongside advice from competition policy experts, before determining next steps.
The Government recognises the sector's interest in the outcome of this review. While I am unable to provide a publication date at this stage, the Government will announce its conclusions and any next steps in due course.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact on pub trade of introducing a Guest Beer Agreement in England and Wales.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government has been reviewing beer market access to consider whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries from accessing pubs. As part of this work, Ministers have met with stakeholders from across the sector to consider the evidence submitted. The issues raised are complex, and the Government is carefully assessing all relevant evidence, alongside advice from competition policy experts, before determining next steps.
The Government recognises the sector's interest in the outcome of this review. While I am unable to provide a publication date at this stage, the Government will announce its conclusions and any next steps in due course.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to include the agricultural sector.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
BICS is a targeted scheme designed to support a defined group of sectors within the Industrial Strategy’s growth sectors (IS-8), where electricity cost relief is expected to have the greatest impact on growth; and within that, focusing on manufacturing activity that is mobile and exposed to international competition.
The IS-8 sectors were selected after a yearlong process and underpinned by rigorous analysis and including a public consultation in the autumn of 2024, culminating in the launch of the modern Industrial Strategy in the summer of 2025. As Agriculture was assessed during this period, no reassessment is currently planned.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of how the hospitality sector supports local economies and tourism in North Yorkshire, and what support is available to help the sector remain resilient in the long term.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government has not made a specific assessment of how the hospitality sector supports local economies and tourism in North Yorkshire.
The Government recognises the hospitality sector’s vital role in supporting local economies, tourism, and high streets, including in North Yorkshire, by creating jobs and attracting visitors. We are committed to its growth through industry engagement, targeted support, and a forthcoming High Streets Strategy to boost footfall.
We are also reforming business rates to better support the high street, with over 750,000 properties benefiting from permanently lower rates worth nearly £1 billion annually. From April, pubs have benefitted from an additional 15% cut followed by a two-year freeze worth around £1,650. Additionally, the Hospitality Support Fund has been increased to £10 million over three years to drive productivity, diversification, and jobs.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish his Department's (a) review of and (b) consultation on the opt-out collective actions regime.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government’s call for evidence on the opt-out collective actions regime closed on 14 October 2025. Careful consideration is being given to responses received and a consultation on potential changes to the regime will be published in spring of this year.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on a) the hospitality sector and b) levels of employment.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Act [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].
The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Act and our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors, including hospitality, will benefit the most from the Act.
Our analysis, supported by independent modelling and international evidence, demonstrates pro-employment effects are more likely, and deems the overall risk to employment to be low.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
It is to the benefit of all parties involved in litigation that disputes are managed efficiently. The government, therefore, supports the use, where appropriate, of mediation as a means to resolve disputes without the expense of litigation.
The government is conducting a review of the opt-out collective actions regime for competitive claims before the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The review considers all aspects of the regime, including the role of alternative dispute resolution, and a consultation on proposals for change will be published in due course.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory mediation in employment disputes.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
We continue to work across government to make the dispute resolution system more resilient, so that that the measures in the Employment Rights Act can be effectively enforced. We recognise the benefits of mediation in resolving disputes swiftly.
A joint DBT/MoJ Taskforce—working with Acas and representatives from business, unions, and other experts —is considering reforms to strengthen dispute resolution.
This includes considering how to maximise use of informal options including meditation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.