Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help ensure his taxation and fiscal policy supports the pub industry.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government understands the benefits pubs bring to our communities, recognises the pressures currently facing the sector and is taking action.
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector will receive a tax cut worth almost £1.7 billion in 2022-23. Eligible properties will receive 50 per cent off their business rates bill, up to a maximum of £110,000 per business.
Combined with Small Business Rates Relief, this means over 90 per cent of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will receive at least 50 per cent off their rates bills in 2022-23. The Government has also committed to freezing the multiplier for a further year, which is a tax cut worth £4.6 billion to businesses over the next 5 years.
Further, as part of the alcohol duty reform, the government will introduce a new draught relief, giving an approximate 5% duty cut to cider and beer sold in pubs. The government will provide an update on the alcohol duty reforms over the coming weeks.
Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason pubs are considered to hold a special status over off-trade settings including (a) convenience stores and (b) specialist alcohol retailers.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Treasury is considering the merits of differentiating products based on the place of retail as part of its alcohol duty review. We are currently analysing responses provided by stakeholders to our recent call for evidence and will provide further updates in due course.
Asked by: Graham P Jones (Labour - Hyndburn)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to undertake a review of the level of taxation on (a) beer and (b) pubs.
Answered by Simon Clarke
All taxes are kept under review and the impact of a change to beer duty or other taxes is considered at each fiscal event, including their effect on pubs and the wider economy.