Labour must commit to maximum business rate discount following "half-hearted" u-turn on pubs

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the Treasury’s announcement of a rescue plan for pubs struggling with business rate rises, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, said:

"This half-hearted U-turn still leaves many pubs facing a business rates hike on top of the devastating hit of the jobs tax, while doing nothing at all for shops, restaurants, cafes, soft play centres and other treasured local high street businesses.

"Ministers must apologise to publicans for the months of uncertainty and worry they forced on them.

"The Government must do the right thing and press ahead with the full 20p discount it promised to every retail, hospitality and leisure business, and back our call for an emergency VAT cut for hospitality until April 2027 to save the Great British high street.”

ENDS