Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
Debate between Lord Livermore and Lord Hayward(2 weeks ago)
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Lord Livermore (Lab)
My noble friend is correct to say that pubs have been struggling in this economy for a long time. In the previous 14 years under the last Government, 7,000 pubs closed in the UK, so this is a long-standing issue. On his wider question, I am more than happy to look into that.
Lord Hayward (Con)
My Lords, as the former chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, I am only too conscious of the problems that the hospitality industry has faced over a large number of years. I listened to the Minister’s answers from the Peers’ Gallery in the Commons yesterday, and the unwillingness to give any indication to the industry as to when decisions will be given to it, whichever fields may be covered, means that it is totally unable to plan. The Minister’s answer today yet again gave no indication of whether there will be a response soon, at some time in the next few weeks or before the next financial year starts.
Lord Livermore (Lab)
I do not think I heard a question at the end there. As I have said, we are working with the sector to ensure that it gets the support it needs.
Forthcoming Fiscal Changes
Debate between Lord Livermore and Lord Hayward(2 months, 1 week ago)
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Lord Livermore (Lab)
The noble Baroness need only wait 22 hours and then she will know for herself.
Lord Hayward (Con)
My Lords, according to opinion polls, the public at large in this country think that Rishi Sunak was a better Chancellor of the Exchequer than the current one by a ratio of over 2:1. Does the Minister agree with the public at large?