The campaign for a rethink on changes to business rates is ramping up, with the prime minister challenged on the subject in Parliament.
“Having met with many independent business owners, they fear the cumulative impact of the rateable value revision and relief reductions,” Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central told the prime minister on Wednesday.
“In York, hospitality sees an average business rate rise of 41%, a music venue 44.4%, and many independent shops increase around 27%. It will mean doors closing and trade ceasing, they just can’t do it.
“So could the prime minister urgently review the business rate proposals, and will he ensure a minister or official attends my business rate summit at the end of January, as I want to avert a crisis on York’s High Street?”
The MP’s business summit will take place on 30th January in York. She says she will continue to seek close engagement with the Treasury, including meeting with the a minister in the forthcoming weeks.
Sir Keir Starmer told Ms Maskell that talks were ongoing with the hospitality industry, but he didn’t give details about any measures being discussed.
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CAMRA chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins, said: “Instead of months of uncertainty and the prospect of thousands of otherwise viable pubs having to close their doors for good, the prime minister and chancellor should give in to pressure, accept the inevitable, and announce a rethink now.
“Whether through cock-up or conspiracy, the government’s promise of permanently lower business rates for pubs hasn’t happened. Instead, publicans are facing higher bills from April, which they simply can’t afford.
“Pubs are a force for good in communities across the country, bringing people together and helping to tackle loneliness. But they can only survive if ministers think again about these business rates increases and come up with a plan that will save our locals.”
Meanwhile, licensee Andy Lennox, behind the suggestion to ban Labour MPs from pubs, told LBC there would be a co-ordinated day of action from publicans on 30th January, mirroring actions taken by farmers angry at inheritance tax changes.
“All the trade bodies and a lot of the bigger organisations are now starting to organise for proper industrial action,” he said. “There’s a protest planned for the end of the month, and we’re looking into some major kind of industrial action now.”
