Business Rates

Debate between Dan Tomlinson and Mike Wood

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

One of my favourite things to do is to meet my hon. Friend to discuss a whole range of matters, so I will happily discuss this issue with him too. We have been in correspondence on this business already, so I hope that he passed on the messages from me about the need to check that there is a difference between the increase in the RV—the rateable value—and the increase in business rates bills. I hope to be in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country before long.

[Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire) (Con)]

This U-turn delivers some much-needed temporary relief for a lot of pubs, but it does not deliver the permanently lower bills that the Prime Minister promised. It also does nothing at all for the other hospitality firms in our constituencies—the cafés, restaurants, clubs and guest houses that are facing crippling rate rises because of this Government’s choices. Mr Speaker, is it not a sign of the incompetence of this Government that they cannot even get their U-turns right?

[Dan Tomlinson]

I do not think that was a question for me. It was a question for you, Mr Speaker.

Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Debate between Dan Tomlinson and Mike Wood

Monday 19th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for the engagement that she has carried out with businesses in her constituency, as a strong representative of the businesses and people of Tamworth. The Government set out some significant reforms in the Budget. We lowered the tax rate that is paid by businesses on our high streets by 5p compared with what it would otherwise have been. That means that the tax rate paid by businesses on our high street is a quarter lower than that paid by the very largest businesses, which can afford higher taxes. That is why we rebalanced the system, transferring £1 billion of extra tax revenue from the largest businesses to high street businesses in my hon. Friend’s constituency and across the country.

[Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire) (Con)]

The tables to which the Minister refers show that the median rateable value for pubs and wine bars is increasing by a third. He visited the Prince of Wales, a pub in his constituency, to help it reopen last spring. Its rateable value is going up from £49,200 to £62,500, which will push it into the higher band and higher bills. When we have the inevitable U-turn, will he ensure that it genuinely delivers lower business rates, and not just for the Prince of Wales in his constituency but for all hospitality venues across the country?

Clause 1

Debate between Dan Tomlinson and Mike Wood

Monday 12th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

Many Members wish to intervene. I will happily give way to the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire (Mike Wood).

[Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire) (Con)]

The Minister says that pensioners who only receive the new state pension will not have to pay income tax. Can he say whether pensioners paid the old basic state pension, but who were contracted out and have alternative provision that brings them up to the same level as the new state pension, will have to pay income tax?

[Dan Tomlinson]

As the Chancellor has set out—more detail will follow later this year—those whose only income is the basic or new state pension, without any increments, will not have to pay income tax over this Parliament. I am aware that Members would like to see more detail, but it would be premature for us to set out the impacts of the policy at this stage, because the details will be forthcoming later this year. I therefore say that new clause 15 should be rejected.