Mr Healey, a former local government minister and current member of the Cabinet, will lead the government’s response to the deteriorating pubs industry as it faces challenges including: the economic downturn, high rents, cheaper alcohol prices at supermarkets, the pub smoking ban and changing consumer habits.

Labour ministers see the retention of many of the UK’s 53,000 pubs as key to community wellbeing.

Whitehall sources said Mr Healey was well equipped to tackle the industry’s problems, as he would be able to draw on his detailed knowledge of local community regeneration plans gleaned from his time at the Department for Communties and Local Government.

Mark Hastings, BBPA Director of Communications said:

“This is a clear sign of the strong public desire to see British pubs supported and the success of our campaign over the last year. We hope this means that pubs will now have a strategic place in Government policy making, and we are pleased that the agenda echoes so many of the priorities we have identified.

“We couldn’t wish for a better minister than John Healey as the voice for pubs within Government, and look forward to a positive, frank and constructive relationship with him in order to support this great British institution that is so important to the social and economic life of local communities.”