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Division Vote (Lords)
28 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 16 Noes - 92
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 27 Jan 2026
Hospitality Businesses

"My Lords, the Government’s announcements are welcome, as far as they go, and will provide some short-term relief to three out of four pubs, but in three years’ time, when the discounts and the freeze end, bills will still rise by 76%. Also, there was nothing for hotels beyond a …..."
Lord Sharpe of Epsom - View Speech

View all Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Hospitality Businesses
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 27 Jan 2026
Hospitality Businesses

"To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support hospitality businesses...."
Lord Sharpe of Epsom - View Speech

View all Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Hospitality Businesses
Scheduled Event - Tuesday 27th January - Add to calendar
View Source
Lords - Oral questions - Main Chamber
Supporting hospitality businesses
MP: Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Retail and Hospitality Sector

"My Lords, I join in the general congratulations and welcome to the four maiden speakers. I enjoyed all their speeches very much and I wish them all the very best. I also thank my noble friend Lady Monckton of Dallington Forest for bringing this debate to the House and for …..."
Lord Sharpe of Epsom - View Speech

View all Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Retail and Hospitality Sector
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Retail and Hospitality Sector

"My Lords, can I make a request to the Minister? In the letter that he plans to write to us, can he explain how many consultations across the whole of government are currently being run? It is a huge number, and I would like to know what it is...."
Lord Sharpe of Epsom - View Speech

View all Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Retail and Hospitality Sector
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Retail and Hospitality Sector

"I mean everything across government...."
Lord Sharpe of Epsom - View Speech

View all Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Retail and Hospitality Sector
Written Question
Business Rates
Thursday 22nd January 2026

Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they plan to introduce to support businesses in the light of business rates increases.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget in November 2025, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Division Vote (Lords)
21 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 175 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 207 Noes - 159
Division Vote (Lords)
21 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 170 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 150