Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of business rates reform on high street regeneration.

Pubs provide a place for people to come together, support local jobs and help keep high streets vibrant — which is why the government introduced an additional 20 per cent cut in business rates for pubs, social clubs, and all but the very largest live music venues, building on the support already in place.

However, there are also properties on our high streets that benefit from reduced business rates but do not have a positive impact on the community. The Government is looking at how to tackle these harms and will set out action at Budget, following careful consideration of the impact of different policy options on different types of businesses.