Oral Answers to Questions

Catherine Fookes Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I really am struggling to get all Members in—it is now 29 minutes past 12, and we have not even got through the topicals list. I ask Members on both Front Benches to help me to help them.

[Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire) (Lab)]

T6. I applaud the Prime Minister’s rates cut for English pubs, but the Plaid Cymru Government in Wales have done nothing to help Welsh pubs. That is why I am supporting the “VAT’s the Problem” campaign, which seeks a much-needed cut in VAT to 10% for our struggling hospitality businesses, which is the rate in some EU countries. Will Treasury Ministers look at the campaign and help us to help our hospitality businesses in Monmouthshire?

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General (James Murray)]

Fiscal decisions are taken at the Budget, but I join my hon. Friend in urging the Welsh Government to consider extending the support that we have given to English pubs to pubs in Wales.