Business Rates

Debate between Damian Collins and Andrew Griffiths

Wednesday 4th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Griffiths]

I am always prepared to listen to anything that might support the great British pub, but as the hon. Gentleman is from the party that introduced the hated beer duty escalator and the smoking ban, he needs to think long and hard about what he can do to support British pubs.

[Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that as Labour’s policy is barely worth more than £1 a day to businesses to which it will be offered, they would have to be pretty small beer indeed to get any value out of it?

[Andrew Griffiths]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend’s point. I also agree with those made by the hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts) and, interestingly, by the hon. Member for Corby (Andy Sawford) on the speed of appeals. That issue is important because two thirds of pubs have appealed their business rates, and half of those decisions are still outstanding. Such delays can have a massive impact on small businesses that are really on a knife edge in terms of profitability and sustainability.

As I have said, the Minister is a passionate supporter of the great British pub and wants to lead a regeneration of our high streets, so will he take on board my three small points, pick up the phone to the Chancellor and do something to support our pubs?