Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2026, what assessment he has made of the number of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in (a) Southport, (b) Sefton and (c) the Liverpool City Region that will become eligible for Small Business Rates Relief following the announced increase in the eligibility threshold.

The government is taking around 70,000 more high street businesses out of business rates through an increase of the Small Business Rates Relief thresholds for retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England from 1 April 2027.

This means half of all RHL properties approximately an additional 45,000 shops, 3,500 pubs, 3,900 restaurants, 600 gyms, 2,200 cafes and 1,700 hairdressers and beauty salons - will pay no business rates.

HM Treasury does not hold data on the additional beneficiaries split by local authority area.