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Written Question
Snooker: Business Rates
Wednesday 4th February 2026

Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total business rate support package available to snooker and clubs is in (a) 2026, (b) 2027 and (c) 2028.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

Written Question
Snooker: Business Rates
Wednesday 4th February 2026

Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made by the Valuation Office Agency of the footprint for snooker clubs and venues to accommodate snooker tables in calculating the 2026 business rates revaluation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Snooker halls are valued in the same way as any other class of non-domestic property, through applying the statutory and common law principles that apply across non-domestic rating.

The practice note used for the 2023 revaluation is published online here. The same approach has been applied in 2026.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 29 Jan 2026
Business of the House

"I congratulate the Government on one of their policies: the launch of a UK town of culture. Often, the Government find themselves having to pull their business. I hope that when they are next in that position, they can organise a debate on the UK town of culture. Stone town …..."
Gavin Williamson - View Speech

View all Gavin Williamson (Con - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) contributions to the debate on: Business of the House
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - Youth Unemployment - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 287
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 108
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - British Indian Ocean Territory - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 103 Noes - 284
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jan 2026
Business Rates

"After all the briefing in the newspapers, we were all hopeful of something more significant, but we have a somewhat flaccid statement from the Minister. The statement not only totally ignores the fact that some pubs are having to deal with a threefold increase in business rates, but it does …..."
Gavin Williamson - View Speech

View all Gavin Williamson (Con - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) contributions to the debate on: Business Rates
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 310
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 82 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 378
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Committee - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 310