Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing lower business rates for pubs and breweries in response to the economic conditions as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

In response to the pandemic, the Government provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England, including pubs. This meant eligible properties paid no business rates for 15 months from 1 April 2020, and thanks to the new 66% capped relief which took effect on 1 July 2021, over 90% of eligible businesses are estimated to see a 75% reduction in their business rates bill across this entire financial year to next April.

In addition, the Government is providing £1.5 billion of additional support to businesses that have not already received business rates relief. This new relief will be awarded through funding for Local Authorities, taking into account the economic impact COVID-19 has had on specific sectors.