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The UK government has revealed a new support plan for pubs and music venues in England, offering them a 15% reduction on their business rates bills starting in April, along with a freeze on any increases for the following two years. This initiative is designed to provide relief to venues grappling with rising costs, representing a three-year package that Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson valued at approximately £1,650 for the average pub.
This announcement follows public discontent over the recent Budget, which saw many businesses facing significant hikes in their business rates. Earlier this month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the particular hardship these increases posed and suggested that further assistance was on the way. In response to this, organizations such as UK Hospitality have voiced concerns that hotels, restaurants, and other related businesses also remain vulnerable, advocating for the extension of support beyond just pubs and music venues.
The government estimates the first year of the package will require £80 million in funding, with the cost of the subsequent two years to be assessed by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Minister Tomlinson emphasized the importance of pubs to local communities and expressed the government’s intent to provide extensive support. Alongside the immediate relief, there will be a forthcoming review of how pubs are valued by the Valuation Office Agency before the next premises revaluation in 2029.
However, the response from opposition politicians highlighted dissatisfaction with the measures. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride labeled the plan a temporary fix, stating, “After weeks of telling our local pubs that help was on the way, this is all they get.” He warned that the relief would only postpone inevitable financial pressures for many businesses. Similarly, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper criticized the package for failing to aid other high street businesses and called for broader business rates discounts as well as a year-long emergency VAT reduction for the hospitality industry.
Representing the broader sector, UK Hospitality acknowledged the package’s importance for pubs but stressed that many restaurants and hotels continued to face significant challenges from recent fiscal policies. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed the support, noting it would alleviate immediate financial pressure resulting from rising business costs, thereby helping numerous venues stay operational. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin remarked that while landlords nationwide would welcome the announcement, the association’s attention would now turn toward advocating for comprehensive, long-term reforms to the business rates system
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