Business Rates

Florence Eshalomi Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

There is a significant overlap between the pub sector and live music venues. Many pubs serve as grassroots live music venues, with the result that they are often valued in a similar way for business rates purposes. We did not think it would be right to draw the line so tightly that some music venues, which happened to be valued as pubs, received the relief and others did not. We think this is a fair and reasonable way forward that reflects the reality on the ground.

[Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green) (Lab/Co-op)]

I thank the Minister for this statement—it is welcome news, and many of the pubs in my constituency will welcome it. I received an email from the general manager of the Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo, who outlined that its business rates bill would increase by £296,000 next year and rise to £399,000 by year four. They want additional support, not just for the hospitality sector but for hotels. As the Minister knows, hotels contribute a lot to the local economy—they employ local people, their supply chain is local, and they house many of the people who come to visit our pubs, restaurants and other venues. Many of the hotels in my constituency house many MPs as well. Would the Minister be happy to visit one of those hotels along the south bank and have a discussion with its staff?

[Dan Tomlinson]

As a London MP, I do not get the joy of staying in a hotel in my hon. Friend’s constituency—instead, I get the joy of the Northern line on the route home. She asks an important question about hotels, which are valued in a different way from some other sectors. Their methodology is well established, but as with pubs, specific concerns have been raised, and the Government think it is right to review how hotels are valued for business rates purposes to ensure their valuations accurately reflect the market for those sectors. I intend to engage with hotel businesses and their representative groups on this important issue. Any future changes to business rates for hotels or other businesses will be considered in the usual way as part of the usual Budget processes.