Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps his Department has taken to support pubs in Royal Sutton Coldfield.

The Government recognises the important contribution that pubs make to local communities, including in Royal Sutton Coldfield. The Government has taken steps to support the sector with eligible pubs benefiting from a 15 per cent business rates reduction from April 2026, followed by a further 20 per cent reduction for pubs, social clubs and qualifying live music venues from April 2027. Taken together, these measures are expected to save the typical pub around £3,100 in 2027-28.

We have also doubled the Hospitality Support Fund to £10m which will help rural pubs to diversify and ensure they can continue to be vital community hubs. We have also ended upward-only rent review clauses and new Community Right to Buy legislation will strengthen powers for local people to buy assets like hospitality venues and pubs before they are lost – keeping them in the hands of the community.