Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her is taking to help support the independent hotelier sector.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.
The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.
The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.
Asked by: Lord Evans of Rainow (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have carried out an impact assessment of the potential effect of lowering drink-driving limits on consumer behaviour in (1) rural communities, and (2) rural pubs.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
An academic study following the reduction in the drink drive limit in Scotland in 2014 showed no impact on the hospitality industry. All evidence received as part of the consultation process will be considered before any decisions are made.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Treasury's press release entitled Government announces support package that backs British pubs, published on 27 January 2026, what her proposed timeline is for the Barnett Formula Consequentials related to this funding to be made available to the Welsh Government, including the total sum.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Any Barnett consequentials for the Welsh Government resulting from policy changes will be confirmed at the relevant fiscal event.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Barnett allocation is for Northern Ireland from business rates and licensing reform for pubs announced on 27 January 2026.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Any Barnett consequentials for the Northern Ireland Executive resulting from policy changes will be confirmed at the relevant fiscal event.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether pubs that are (a) derelict or (b) under are eligible to access and use the new hospitality support fund.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We are currently finalising plans for the new grants scheme ahead of its launch in April. Its primary purpose is to support hospitality businesses to improve their long‑term viability, including through diversification. The fund will also aim to improve productivity through innovation and to help those furthest from the labour market move into hospitality roles.
Eligibility criteria are still being developed. Any organisation that meets those criteria will be able to apply for support once the scheme opens, which will determine whether pubs that are derelict or currently not trading are eligible.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Welsh Government on the potential merits of introducing a Guest Beer agreement in Wales.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation. Additionally, the Hospitality Sector Council provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.
The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries, the findings from which are currently being reviewed.
We maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as the Society of Independent Brewers, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long‑term stability.
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support small independent breweries from increased operating costs in Wales.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation. Additionally, the Hospitality Sector Council provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.
The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries, the findings from which are currently being reviewed.
We maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as the Society of Independent Brewers, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long‑term stability.
Asked by: Laurence Turner (Labour - Birmingham Northfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury of 27 January 2026 on Business Rates, whether changes to the business rates for pubs will include social clubs.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
All pubs and live music venues that meet the definitions set out in guidance will qualify for the business rates support announced on 27 January 2026.
In keeping with the intent of this policy, the Government is working with Local Authorities to ensure this includes establishments that are open to wide sections of local communities. This includes social clubs, such as working men's clubs.
I would like to thank my Honourable Friend for all his representations and engagement on this matter.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria is used by the Valuation Office Agency to determine whether a licensed premises is assigned a special category code of a (a) pub or (b) bar.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The criteria for determining special category codes for pubs and bars is published in the Valuation of Public Houses Approved Guide 2023. Guide_to_Public_Houses.pdf
Asked by: Llinos Medi (Plaid Cymru - Ynys Môn)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing draught duty relief.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government is proud to have been able to significantly expand the generosity of Draught Relief this parliament, in recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”.
In February 2025, the Chancellor delivered a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint and reduced overall duty receipts by £85m. Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in tax than their packaged equivalents.
The Government keeps duty rates under review, and the Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events. The Government welcomes representations from the on trade sector on the effectiveness of Draught Relief in advance of the Budget.