Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a introducing a discount on business rates for pubs.

The Government recognises that pubs, social clubs and live music venues have faced significant pressures in recent years. Earlier this year, the Government cut every pub, social club and live music venues bill by 15 per cent and ensured bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years.

The Government is now going further by introducing an additional 20 per cent cut for pubs, social clubs, and all but the very largest live music venues, building on the support already in place.

When taken together, these packages are worth nearly £250 million next year and will benefit around 32,000 pubs, social clubs and live music venues. The typical pub will save around £3,100 in 2027-28, with the pub sector expected to pay around 27 per cent less in business rates by 2028/29 compared with before the revaluation.