Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 111126 on Licensing Premises: Business Rates, whether there is a statutory basis for the application of the pubs and live music rate relief.

The 2026/27 Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief is administered by local authorities using the powers they have to provide discretionary rate relief under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

As set out in the local authority guidance published on 18 February 2026, the government will fully reimburse billing authorities and major precepting authorities for their loss of income under the business rates retention scheme as a result of awarding the relief.