Business Rates

Debate between Dan Tomlinson and Chris Webb

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

It is not for me to tell the devolved Administrations how to spend their money, but if the right hon. Gentleman writes to me, I will be happy to write back to him with the details of the consequentials following the decision set out today.

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on hospitality and tourism, I thank the Minister for his constant engagement with me since the Budget, because I have been able to raise concerns directly with him from the industry, UKHospitality and others. This statement will be welcome for many pubs in Blackpool, including our small music venues, such as the Bootleg. You may want to visit it sometime, Mr Speaker, and I hope you get well soon. We know that the hospitality sector has been struggling. It is on life support after a decade of neglect from the previous Government, and it needs more support. Will the Minister continue to engage with me, the APPG and UKHospitality on what the high street strategy can do, so that we get it right this time?

[Dan Tomlinson]

My hon. Friend is a powerful and strong advocate both for the businesses in his constituency and for the hospitality sector more broadly. I thank him for our conversations; I think we spoke before Christmas as well as in recent weeks. I will of course continue to engage with him and the hospitality sector on tax issues, as is typical for a Tax Minister in the run-up to a Budget, but I also want to talk more about the broader support the Government can provide, working across Departments, as part of the high street strategy we have announced today.

Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Debate between Dan Tomlinson and Chris Webb

Monday 19th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

One of the things that the Government are doing to support businesses up and down the country is bringing back economic stability. Under this Government, interest rates have been cut six times, which will reduce borrowing costs for businesses small and large, and we are doing all we can to boost living standards, so that people have more money in their pockets to spend in hospitality businesses. We have seen faster increases in wages in the first year of this Government than we did in the first 10 years under the Conservatives.

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

I find it a bit rich that the Conservatives are raising this issue, given that around 7,000 pubs and bars closed on their watch, which is felt in Blackpool and across the country. Will the Minister continue to engage with the hospitality sector, UKHospitality and small businesses to ensure that we get this right? Many are struggling after 14 years of Conservative government, and especially after covid. We need to support our high streets, which have been forgotten about for far too long.

[Dan Tomlinson]

I thank my hon. Friend for his engagement on this important issue, and for the work that he does on the all-party parliamentary group for hospitality and tourism. Yes, the Government will continue to engage with sector bodies such as UKHospitality on this and other matters that are important for the hospitality industry.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dan Tomlinson and Chris Webb

Tuesday 3rd September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

7. What steps she plans to take to help improve living standards.

[Dan Tomlinson (Chipping Barnet) (Lab)]

15. What steps she plans to take to help improve living standards.