A Parliamentary Early Day Motion backing local pubs is the most signed of the session so far.

The motion – put forward by Otley’s MP Greg Mulholland – supports the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign that calls for a statutory code of practice and a market rent-only option to tied landlords of large pub-owning companies.

So far 142 Members of Parliament have given signatures of support, and a further 28 MPs have signed up online – bringing the total number of supporters to 170.

 The primary sponsor of the motion is Mr Mulholland, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group and co-ordinator of the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign. The motion welcomes support for the campaign – a coalition now composed of ten organisations including the GMB union, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Campaign for Real Ale.

 Supporters say the importance of the Early Day Motion, which was tabled in May, is underscored by the recent report on the relationship between pub companies (pubcos) and tied tenants released by the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on Monday. The report calls on the Government to bring legislation without delay on establishing a statutory code for pub companies that includes a market rent-only option for companies with more than 500 pubs.

 Mr Mulholland said: “The groundswell of support for the Early Day Motion and the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign is a clear indication of the need for a fairer relationship between pubcos and their tied tenants. The fact that the EDM supporting the campaign has, thus far, received more signatures than any other motion of this session is a testament to the broad consensus of the demand for real pubco reform.  “The Fair Deal for Your Local campaign, ten organisations and now more than 140 Members of Parliament strong, has made great strides in its efforts to bring about substantive reform that ensures tied pubs are not squeezed for their every last quid. We now look forward to reading the results of the Government consultation on pubco reform and seeing legislation on the matter introduced as soon as possible.”