Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take following their review into the role and remit of the Grocery Code Adjudicator published on 19 July.

The Review found that the Adjudicator is making effective use of her statutory powers and is effectively enforcing the Groceries Code through collaborative working with the large retailers. The Government will continue to support the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) in her work.

The Review also found that some direct suppliers are reluctant to raise legitimate grievances with the GCA due to a fear of commercial consequences. The Government will agree a strategic goal for the GCA to address this issue. The Government will also make it clear to retailers designated by the Code that it is not acceptable that direct suppliers face commercial consequences as a result of reporting potential breaches of the Code.

We will also work with Trade Associations to help their members understand how the Code works and the role of the GCA and encourage them to raise issues with the GCA and the retailers’ Code Compliance Officers.