Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of hospitality venues that have permanently closed in the current financial year; and what projections her Department has made for closures in the future financial year.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
ONS data has shown that there were over 1,600 more hospitality business net openings in 2025 than in 2024. We continue to closely monitor the health of different sectors across the UK economy, including hospitality, and regularly engage with the hospitality sector.
The Government is working to support sectors like hospitality. We have introduced new permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties which will benefit over 750,000 properties and the National Licensing Policy Framework for England and Wales set a new strategic direction for licensing authorities to have more regard for growth.
The Government has also doubled the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million which will help rural pubs to diversify and ensure they can continue to be vital community hubs, and the Pride in Place programme will provide up to £5 billion to support our high streets.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of closure rates among small and independent hospitality businesses compared to larger chains; and what targeted support is available to those smaller operators.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department has not made a formal assessment of closure rates among “independent” hospitality businesses. Official statistics do not distinguish independent businesses from larger chains. However, ONS data provide context, showing that the number of private sector food and beverage service enterprises increased by around 16,300 between 2019 and 2025, with SMEs growing by around 11.8% and large enterprises by around 4.3% over the same period.
The Government recognises that smaller and independent hospitality businesses are a vital part of local economies, sustaining high streets, supporting jobs and contributing to community life. From 2026–27, we are introducing permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000. Smaller operators are also supported through the Small Business Plan, which sets out a comprehensive package of support for SMEs, including improved access to advice and finance through the Business Growth Service.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of current VAT rates on closure rates among hospitality businesses.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK.
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. The UK’s VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent. The UK also has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD, at £90,000. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.
The Government has already started the work of reforming our business rates system by introducing new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the economic impact of hospitality business closures on high streets and town centres, particularly in regions with above-average closure rates.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Hospitality businesses play a vital role in the economic health of high streets and town centres, supporting jobs, footfall and local supply chains.
The Government monitors developments affecting businesses on the high street and is taking action to support retail, hospitality and leisure businesses through measures such as licensing changes, business rates reform and wider plans to reinvigorate high streets and support local growth across all regions. This includes working with the hospitality sector to develop a High Streets Strategy that is due to be published later in the year.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to driving test waiting times in Scotland, a) what the current average waiting time is for car driving tests in Scotland; b) how many driving test centres in Scotland have an average waiting time of (i) over 12 weeks, (ii) over 18 weeks, and (iii) over 24 weeks; and c) what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding reducing driving test waiting times in Scotland.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The average waiting time for a car practical driving test in Scotland in February 2026 was 22 weeks. The table below shows the average waiting time in February 2026 for a car practical driving test at driving test centres in Scotland.
Driving test centre | February 2026 Average Waiting Time (in weeks) |
Aberdeen North | 24. |
Aberdeen South (Cove) | 24. |
Aberfeldy | 10.5 |
Airdrie | 24. |
Alness | 24. |
Arbroath | 23.8 |
Ayr | 24. |
Ballater | 19.8 |
Banff | 10.3 |
Barra | 24. |
Benbecula Island | 20.8 |
Bishopbriggs | 24. |
Brodick (Isle of Arran) | 22.8 |
Buckie | 24. |
Callander | 24. |
Campbeltown | 24. |
Castle Douglas | 23. |
Crieff | 24. |
Cumnock | 19.5 |
Dumbarton | 17.8 |
Dumfries | 11.3 |
Dundee | 22.8 |
Dunfermline (Vine) | 21.5 |
Dunoon | 23. |
Duns | 23.5 |
East Kilbride | 24. |
Edinburgh (Currie) | 24. |
Edinburgh (Musselburgh) | 24. |
Elgin | 22. |
Forfar | 15.3 |
Fort William | 22.5 |
Fraserburgh | 19.8 |
Gairloch | 24. |
Galashiels | 19.5 |
Girvan | 11. |
Glasgow (Anniesland) | 24. |
Glasgow (Baillieston) | 24. |
Glasgow (Shieldhall) | 24. |
Golspie | 20. |
Grangemouth | 24. |
Grantown-On-Spey | 20.3 |
Greenock | 24. |
Haddington | 23.8 |
Hamilton | 24. |
Hawick | 23.8 |
Huntly | 17.8 |
Inveraray | 24. |
Inverness (Longman Drive) | 12. |
Inverurie | 24. |
Irvine | 24. |
Islay Island | 24. |
Isle of Mull | 21.5 |
Isle of Skye (Portree) | 24. |
Isle of Tiree | 12.5 |
Kelso | 20.5 |
Kingussie | 19.5 |
Kirkcaldy | 24. |
Kyle of Lochalsh | 24. |
Lanark | 11.3 |
Lerwick | 24. |
Livingston | 16. |
Lochgilphead | 24. |
Mallaig | 24. |
Montrose | 12.8 |
Newton Stewart | 23.5 |
Oban | 17.5 |
Orkney | 24. |
Paisley | 24. |
Peebles | 22.8 |
Perth (Arran Road) | 24. |
Peterhead | 24. |
Pitlochry | 24. |
Rothesay | 16.5 |
Stirling | 10.5 |
Stornoway | 24. |
Stranraer | 24. |
Thurso | 24. |
Ullapool | 21. |
Wick | 24. |
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of current National Insurance costs on closure rates among hospitality businesses.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the important role the hospitality sector plays both in terms of its economic contribution but also to our culture.
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.
Furthermore, the Government has protected the smallest hospitality businesses from recent changes to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500. While Business Rates is a devolved issue, we have introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties which are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.
The Government is doing more to support sectors like hospitality. The National Licensing Policy Framework for England and Wales set a new strategic direction for licensing authorities to have more regard for growth. We are exploring planning reforms to help pubs and hospitality expand. The Hospitality Support Fund has helped pubs in rural areas to diversify, ensuring they can continue in their role as vital community hubs.
We have also introduced a new Community Right to Buy, the English Devolution Bill will ban upward only rent reviews, and the Pride in Place programme will provide up to £5bn over 10 years to support our high streets, and later this year we will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy, to reinvigorate our communities. We will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of employer National Insurance contributions on labour-intensive sectors such as hospitality.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the important role the hospitality sector plays both in terms of its economic contribution but also to our culture.
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.
Furthermore, the Government has protected the smallest hospitality businesses from recent changes to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500. While Business Rates is a devolved issue, we have introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties which are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.
The Government is doing more to support sectors like hospitality. The National Licensing Policy Framework for England and Wales set a new strategic direction for licensing authorities to have more regard for growth. We are exploring planning reforms to help pubs and hospitality expand. The Hospitality Support Fund has helped pubs in rural areas to diversify, ensuring they can continue in their role as vital community hubs.
We have also introduced a new Community Right to Buy, the English Devolution Bill will ban upward only rent reviews, and the Pride in Place programme will provide up to £5bn over 10 years to support our high streets, and later this year we will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy, to reinvigorate our communities. We will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what funding his Department provides to the Office for Nuclear Regulation to support collaboration and increased alignment with international regulators.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department provides funding to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to support collaboration and increased alignment with international regulators, through engagement in international fora and directly with regulators in other countries. This activity is funded through a programme to maintain the ONR’s capability and capacity to regulate Advanced Nuclear Technologies. The Department also provides funding to the ONR for their work under the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy to explore streamlining regulation and accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors across UK and US markets.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what level of direct grant funding he provides to the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
DWP as the sponsoring body for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), provided a £3.640m grant in 2024/25 to cover activities ONR are not permitted to recover from industry such as fire safety and aspects of transport regulation.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support other combined authorities and local councils to replicate the Liverpool City Region’s programme to decarbonise public buildings.
Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the essential role that local government, including combined authorities and local councils, play in accelerating to net zero. Support for local government includes funding to deliver net zero through their core settlement, grant funding schemes and strengthened collaboration such as through the Local Net Zero Delivery Group.
Over the period 2025-2028 more than £190 million in public sector decarbonisation funding is being invested in local authorities through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Over the same period £67.6 million is being invested on decarbonisation of public buildings through the Integrated Settlements with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities.