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PRESS RELEASE : Pub-owning businesses agree minimum standards for tenants on short agreements [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Pubs Code Adjudicator on 31 March 2025.

The 6 regulated pub-owning businesses have worked together with the PCA to agree minimum standards in dealing with tied tenants on short agreements over and above what the Pubs Code requires.

A tenancy at will or short agreement is often used by pub companies to enable a tenant to begin operating a pub while a longer-term agreement is finalised. Such an agreement can provide an opportunity for both parties to understand whether the business relationship will work, and it can be a good introduction to the trade for a new operator.

If the business relationship is going to develop well, it is vital that the operator on a short agreement gets off to the right start. These transparent minimum standards for dealing fairly with tenants on short agreements can support them in their businesses.

Most rights in the Pubs Code do not apply to tenants on short agreements. However, those entering into such an agreement do have the right to certain information from their pub company and must be advised to complete pubs entry training unless they have certain business experience. A short agreement under the Pubs Code is a tied agreement which is either a tenancy at will or a tied tenancy which (when considered together with any other agreements) entitles the tenant to occupy the pub for under 12 months.

Using the relevant Pubs Code rights of tenants on substantive agreements as a guide, the pub companies regulated under the Pubs Code have worked together with the PCA to agree minimum standards. While largely reflecting existing business practices, these standards provide clarity to those entering into a short agreement on what they can expect from their pub company in addition to what the Pubs Code requires.

Fiona Dickie said:

“Everyone wants tied tenants to do well, and getting off to a strong start is essential. Those on tenancies at will and other short agreements are entitled to be treated fairly. It is particularly important that they should be advised not to invest their own money in the pub when on agreements which can be terminated at short notice. I’m pleased that the regulated pub companies have agreed to a consistent set of minimum standards to reflect their business practices over and above what the Pubs Code requires them to do. This should help tied tenants to understand what they can expect from their relationship with them”.

The short agreements minimum standards document can be found here: Short agreements – minimum standards (March 2025) – GOV.UK

April 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Homes England agrees purchase of key Nottingham regeneration site [March 2025]

The press release issued by Homes England on 31 March 2025.

Acquisition of Broad Marsh site signals boost for city’s regeneration vision  and the start of major redevelopment in Nottingham.

The regeneration of Nottingham city centre has taken a major step forward following an agreement for Homes England to purchase the Broad Marsh site from Nottingham City Council.

The Government’s housing and regeneration agency will acquire the council’s land ownership of the former shopping centre, land to the west of the Green Heart, a multi-storey car park, Severns House and a former college site.

The next stage of development will include de-risking of the site, such as demolition and enabling works, to attract private sector developers with the necessary credentials and proven track record to deliver transformational, exemplar city centre projects.

The development of the site will bring forward around 1,000 homes, up to 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community spaces and create around 2,000 full-time jobs.

Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

The acquisition of Broad Marsh is a major milestone in the city council’s vision of regeneration for this area of Nottingham.

We have worked closely with the council since 2022 to provide professional advice and support. Now that we have acquired the site, our teams will be working with partners to attract the right developer to deliver the new homes, employment spaces and leisure facilities necessary to create a vibrant city centre neighbourhood that the people of Nottingham can be proud of.

Broad Marsh is Nottingham’s top priority regeneration project, with significant progress already made by Nottingham City Council (NCC) in advancing its vision. Key achievements include the establishment of a new Nottingham College hub, the opening of the Central Library, Broad Marsh bus station, car park, and, most recently, the completion of the Green Heart public realm.

Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said:

It’s great to finally reveal the name of the buyer for such an important site. I have confidence in Homes England and the work they have already delivered across the country.

This is really positive news for Nottingham and marks the start of a major redevelopment for this key part of our city.

We know that people have wanted to see progress here for a long time and we understand that it has been a frustration for some that this hasn’t happened.

We’re excited by the plans that Homes England has, and we look forward to working closely with them to bring these to fruition.

The project will also benefit from investment by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), underlining Broad Marsh’s strategic significance to the region and showcasing the collaboration of organisations skilled in delivering complex regeneration projects, in line with the Government’s new Devolution arrangements.

The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said:

Homes England’s purchase of Broad Marsh is an investment into the future of Nottingham – a future that the people of Nottingham have been asking for and the city council has been pushing for, which can now be realised.”

As the Mayor of the East Midlands, I have been pleased to lead EMCCA into investing its resources so that this purchase could occur. This is exactly what the region expected when it chose to have a directly elected Mayor, and EMCCA will continue to work closely with Homes England as they transform the area.

Homes England will maintain close collaboration with the council, ensuring the strategic vision for Broad Marsh is successfully realised. The Agency will also commit to continue the work undertaken so far by the council, to engage residents, partners and stakeholders in shaping the delivery of this important project.

April 1, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 28 February 1925

28 FEBRUARY 1925

The British Trade Union delegates who visited Russia in November and December last year have published their conclusions in an official report.

The Miners’ Delegate Conference decided to remit back to the districts the proposals for ending or amending the present agreement with the owners.

The Estimates for the Civil Service and Revenue Departments for the forthcoming year show a reduction of £14,216,850.

Mr Alexander Johnston, President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said trade to-day was just hanging in the balance. It would take very little either to give it a strong upward movement or equally little to send it back again to its recent disastrous condition. An all-in national insurance scheme was explained to the members by Mr T. T. Broad.

The Association of Economic Biologists discussed warble flies, a Continental barley pest, forestry disease problems, potato culture, and seed-testing practice, at their annual meeting in Edinburgh.

At the annual dinner of the Glasgow Shipowners and Shipbrokers’ Benevolent Association, the president, Mr George Sloan, said that in the case of the North Atlantic the liner trade had been heavily hit by the action of the American Government in instituting a quota beyond which they would not allow immigration.

April 1, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 27 February 1925

27 FEBRUARY 1925

The King’s health continues to improve. He had a much better day, following on restful night.

The Scottish Grand Committee to consider the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill had a stormy first meeting on the question of the nationality of the Chairman. There were several scenes, and an adjournment was made until the question of chairmanship was settled by the Chairman’s Panel Committee. Later it was announced that the Chairman’s Panel had decided that Sir Cyril Cobb should continue as Chairman of the Committee. The Socialists will accept this decision.

Air Estimates for a net expenditure of £15,513,000 – a net increase of rather more than half a million over last year’s expenditure were discussed in the House of Commons. A completely new experiment in the field of air defence this year is the introduction of non-regular units, comprising four auxiliary Air Force squadrons – two of which will be located in Edinburgh and Glasgow – and two special reserve squadrons.

Speaking at Walsall in support of the Socialist candidate, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, referring to the Political Levy Bill, said his party would put up a fine fight. Polling takes place to-day.

Arthur Henderson repudiated the suggestion that Mr Ramsay MacDonald was to be superseded in the leadership of the Socialist party.

Proceedings at the opening of the Miners’ Conference at Blackpool were quiet. Mr Hodges explained the policy he has been advocating in the coalfields, while delegates explained the attitude of the districts to the wages agreement, and submitted suggestions for ending or amending it. An adjournment will be recommended to enable the Executive to consider the district proposals in conjunction with the attitude of the owners.

Strong criticism of the Clydebank factors was made at the resumed sitting of the Rents Commission in Glasgow.

Captain Elliot MP speaking in Glasgow on the relief of unemployment, said Local Authorities in Scotland had found that the employment of direct labour was unsatisfactory in many respects, and that the best course was to let the work out to a contractor.

An electric tramway car, becoming out of control on the North Bridge, Edinburgh, collided with a standing car with considerable force, causing injury to a number of passengers and shock to others.

The South African Legislative Assembly has adopted, by 71 votes to 47, a Labour motion urging that the King should not bestow titles upon his subjects residing in the Union or its mandated territories.

April 1, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 26 February 1925

26 FEBRUARY 1925

It was announced that the King continues to make good progress with his health, and no further bulletin will be issued.

Prince Henry, who was to have represented the King at the Shire Horse Show, was unable to do so owing to a slight chill.

Replying in the House of Lords to Lord Arnold’s criticism of the Government’s safeguarding of industries policy, the First Commissioner of Works, Viscount Peel maintained that the Government had a clear mandate to deal with the question. He asked why did not the Labour party during its term of office repeal those parts of the Safeguarding of Industries Act dealing with key industries and dumping if they had the views so strongly expressed by Lord Arnold.

The Poor Law Emergency Provisions Continuance (Scotland) Bill passed second reading in the House of Commons by 261 to 101. Discussion of the Public Health (Scotland) Bill, which empowers Local Authorities to supply insulin to people suffering from diabetes, was adjourned.

Protestant League candidates in the Edinburgh Education Authority election held a rally, at which protests were made against the growing influence of the Roman Catholic Church in educational matters.

Delegates are arriving at Blackpool for the National Conference of the Miners’ Congress. Mr Hodges, the former secretary, is among the number, and will take his seat as a delegate.

April 1, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 25 February 1925

25 FEBRUARY 1925

The Government were asked in the House of Commons why it had been decided not to renew the contract with Arcos (Limited) to advertise Russian materials on the backs of Government publications. Mr A. M. Samuel replied that the Government were not willing that advertisements of a firm described as the sole purchasing and selling agents of a Government which had not met its obligations towards British subjects should be admitted into official publications.

Questions were asked in the House of Commons concerning Irish prisoners detained in Peterhead Prison, on behalf of whom Mr Buchanan sought to secure an undertaking that they should be transferred to their own country.

A statement by the Rev. Dr White that Free Church opposition to the Church of Scotland Bill had been withdrawn is challenged by the well-known Free Church leader, Mr Archibald MacNeilage. Statements made by Dr White, and also by Dr Donald Maclean (of the Free Church), to representatives of The Scotsman are published.

Evidence on behalf of the house factors and the tenants was given before the Clydebank Rents Commission sitting in Glasgow, and in the course of the proceedings it was stated that rates amounting to £66,776 were outstanding.

For the Miners’ Delegate Conference, to be held at Blackpool, proposals have been sent in from all districts either to end or amend the present agreement.

Neville Chamberlain, speaking in London, said if the building operatives were willing to accept a scheme of payment by results the output of houses would be increased by at least one-third, and probably a good deal more.

March 31, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 February 1925

24 FEBRUARY 1925

A vote of £2,096,000 for the Ministry of Pensions was passed by the House of Commons. There was some criticism of hardship suffered under the policy of final awards, but the Minister of Pensions resisted a suggestion that the question should be reopened by an impartial Commission. A supplementary estimate of £1,250,000 for a grant in aid of the Government of Northern Ireland was agreed to after considerable discussion.

The Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons that in Japanese official and other well-informed circles it was realised that the improvement of the Singapore dockyard by Britain was a normal development of Naval policy. The two countries were firmly united, added Mr Baldwin, by common interests in the preservation of peace.

Austen Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons, in reply to a question, that the British Government would not send an Ambassador to Moscow under present circumstances.

The King’s medical attendants saw His Majesty last evening, but issued no bulletin. It is understood that His Majesty’s satisfactory, though slow, progress continues.

A Berlin telegram announces the serious illness of President Ebert.

A deputation which was arranged by the Convention of Royal Burghs waited upon the Prime Minister and urged the desirability of raising the status of the office of Secretary for Scotland. According to an official report of the proceedings, the Prime Minister said that he viewed sympathetically the case which had been put forward, and promised to examine the subject without delay.

March 31, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 February 1925

23 FEBRUARY 1925

According to the latest bulletin regarding the King, “the slow progress continues.” In order to secure complete restoration and fitness, the King’s medical attendants advise, when the stage of convalescence has been reached, that His Majesty should proceed to the south of Europe and cruise in his yacht for a few weeks.

Austen Chamberlain, when on his way to Geneva early next month for the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, will have an interview with M. Herriot in Paris. He will discuss with the French Premier the report on German disarmament.

David Lloyd George is confined to bed in a Birmingham hotel suffering from a feverish cold. He was returning from Walsall when he developed a temperature, and the journey to London had to be postponed.

David Lloyd George, speaking in Walsall, asked representatives of the Conservative party or the Labour party to point out one plan introduced by them which had not been initiated by Dr Macnamara, Liberal candidate in the Walsall by-election.

Messages have been received from the Earl of Oxford and Asquith and other prominent members of the Liberal party by Dr Macnamara, Liberal candidate in the Walsall by-election.

Describing the visit of the Trade Union delegation to Russia, Mr John Bromley, M.P., said that there was neither free speech nor a free Press, but the working people were dictating to everyone else, as they were dictated to for so many years. There were rest houses for workers, prisoners were paid Trade Union rates for their work, while tickets for the opera were issued to the workers.

The text has been issued of Mr Macquisten’s Trade Union (Political Fund) Bill, which seeks to repeal certain sections of the Trade Union Act of 1913.

March 31, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 22 February 1925

22 FEBRUARY 1925

London County Council was asked to report on the practicability of linking up tramways in central London by shallow subways taking double-deck cars.

It was confirmed that no formal meeting had yet been made for a meeting between Austen Chamberlain and M. Herriot in Paris.

March 31, 2025
Harriet Cross – 2025 Speech on Fishing Quota Negotiations

The speech made by Harriet Cross, the Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, in Westminster Hall, the House of Commons, on 26 March 2025.

I thank the hon. Member for St Ives (Andrew George) for securing the debate. I rise to speak on behalf of the fishing communities in both my Gordon and Buchan constituency and wider north-east Scotland, who play such a crucial role in the UK’s fishing sector but are facing unprecedented challenges following, among other things, the most recent quota negotiations.

The total allowable catch quota negotiations have been another example of the UK losing when Labour Governments negotiate. Analysis by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs itself shows that, as a result of the most recent negotiations, UK quota fell by 5% for 2025, representing a 38,000 tonne decrease and a £9 million reduction in the value of fishing opportunities. In total, the UK secured approximately 747,000 tonnes of quota, valued at about £950 million—a decrease from 2024 in both tonnage and value.

Let us not forget that behind every percentage point of the reduction are real people—fishermen and women, their families and our coastal communities—who now face difficult decisions about their future. That is before we even start to consider “paper fish”, or quota allocations that cannot realistically be caught—that is to say, their benefit exists only on paper. That might happen, for example, when a country is allocated quota for species that are not present in sufficient quantities in its water, when quota is allocated for species that the fleet does not have the correct gear or capability to catch, or when the quota exists administratively but does not translate to actual fishing opportunities. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and other fisheries organisations have highlighted the distorting effect of paper fish when discussing quota negotiations, because it means that actual usable quota is less than what appears in official statistics. Some quotas look great on paper, but provide no benefit to the fleet.

DEFRA has published two reports—one on economic outcomes and the second on sustainability—considering the UK’s fishing opportunities for this year. We should remember that sustainability under the Fisheries Act 2020 has three pillars—environmental, social and economic —and that no one pillar takes precedence over the others. In Scotland, about 70% of key commercial stocks are fished sustainably. Yes, there is still room for improvement, but it is important to recognise that progress has been made in the last 30 years. For example, in 1991, the same indicator showed that sustainability levels were only at 35%. The industry has driven that progress alongside fisheries scientists and managers, because no one has a greater vested interest in healthy seas and fish stocks than our fishermen and those who depend on them for their livelihoods.

There is still much work to do for the UK’s fishing industry to benefit fully following Brexit and our departure from the broken, inequitable common fisheries policy. Under the adjustment period in the trade and co-operation agreement, the EU still has unrestricted access to the UK exclusive economic zone. That benefits the EU far more than the UK and, unsurprisingly, the EU wishes for that position to continue. As other Members have mentioned, we just have to look at how things have developed in recent weeks to get a true understanding of the EU’s approach to fishery negotiations. Some EU member states are now saying that, unless the UK gives way to exactly what the EU wants on fishing, it will be excluded from the EU’s defence fund. It is almost unbelievable that anyone would risk the safety, security and defence of Europe and its allies on such a pretence.

Fishing and defence—indeed, national and international security—should not be conflated. Our national security is vital, our energy security is vital and our food security, in which fishing plays a major part, is vital, and each should be dealt with in its own right. We cannot allow our fishing communities to be caught up in this EU posturing. The UK Government must state unambiguously that giving up their rights to our waters and natural resources would represent a long-term loss of a national asset critical for food security and production of climate-smart food. I invite the Minister to do so in this debate.

I urge the Minister to commit to securing a better deal for UK fishing in the revised TCA—one that genuinely rebalances quota towards zonal attachment principles—and protect our fishing grounds. Will the Government ensure that small-scale and coastal fishing operations have proper representation in future negotiations? The Conservative party committed to that in our manifesto, along with seeking additional opportunities for these vital parts of our fishing fleet.

March 31, 2025