Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of (i) the economic impact and (ii) potential cost savings for the pubs sector of introducing a 20p reduction in the business rates multiplier for all pubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible properties, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Breweries that are wholly or mainly open to visiting members of the public (for instance, mainly used as a bar or for providing tours to the public) will also benefit from the lower multipliers.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context, into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Under the previous Government, RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025, and so by extending it, the Government has saved the average pub, with a ratable value of £16,800, over £3,300.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the costs, savings and net impact on the public purse of proposed local government reorganisation for Hampshire in each of the next five years.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Plan for Change set out the government’s aim to build empowered, simplified, resilient and sustainable local government that will increase value for money for council taxpayers and enable more funding to be spent on local public services.

The statutory consultation for local government reorganisation in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton is now open, in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, and will close on 11 January. Once this statutory consultation is concluded, Ministers will decide, subject to Parliamentary approval, which, if any, proposal is to be implemented, with or without modification.

In taking these decisions, Ministers will judge proposals in the round against the criteria, including the criteria which specifies that efficiencies should be identified to help improve councils’ finances and make sure that council taxpayers are getting the best possible value for their money.

Found: Q114 Damian Hinds: How come?

Found: Q114 Damian Hinds: How come?

Found: Lovelace Day • Luke Murphy: Progress in tackling climate change • Sir John Hayes, Rachel Gilmour, Damian Hinds

Found: Damian Hinds: I think I can give you some reassurance, Jon.

Found: Well, we cannot— Damian Hinds: That I am not so sure about.

Found: Damian Hinds: I think I can give you some reassurance, Jon.

Found: Well, we cannot— Damian Hinds: That I am not so sure about.