12th November 2021
Dear Member,
UPDATE
There have not been any major pieces of directly relevant news over the past few weeks. We held the final National Council of the year last week and our SR Exchange on Wednesday was a great success. All eyes now turn to the Convention on Thursday 25th November. If you haven’t already done so please do not to forget to register so we can prepare your name badge and your lunch!
Registration-Form-2021.docx (355 downloads )
Commercial Rent disputes. One thing that did get published this week is the legislation and accompanying Code of Practice for commercial tenants and landlords. Commercial tenants will remain protected from eviction until 25th March 2022. The new Code of Practice should be used as the basis of landlord-tenant negotiations going forward. The Code sets out that tenants unable to pay in full should negotiate with their landlord in the expectation that landlords waive some or all of the arrears where they are able to do so. The Code can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commercial-rents-code-of-practice-november-2021/code-of-practice-for-commercial-property-relationships-following-the-covid-19-pandemic.
Gambling Review. We continue our engagement in advance of the publication of the Review White Paper. We have just had it confirmed that this will not be before Christmas, the previous official deadline. When it will emerge is still vague but I am looking at February. The DCMS team is now well into their analysis of the various asks we have put to them and I have been encouraged by their engagement and questioning. Our engagement work with MPs continues apace and I am pleased to say, positively.
Scotland. As you know, Covid rules are different from England in both Scotland and Wales. We continue to engage with the devolved governments where we can. Scotland Region Chairman, Joseph Cullis and I have been meeting with the SG over vaccine passports lobbying hard in the face of suggestions they could become a requirement for the hospitality and entertainment sectors below the current number thresholds.
As always if members have any questions or feedback please do not hesitate to pick up the phone.
Kind regards
John