Oral Answers to Questions

Gill Furniss Excerpts

Monday 27th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

The Labour Government has form in this regard. The number of units available for social rent declined by 410,000 during their 13 years in office. Under this Government we have seen record levels of investment, including the £3.15 billion that was allocated to London alone in the last autumn statement.

[Gill Furniss (Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough) (Lab)]

14. What assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the recent business rate revaluation on the viability of pubs.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Andrew Percy)]

Rateable values are, of course, set independently of Ministers. The approach to the valuation of pubs has been agreed with all five bodies representing the pub sector, including the British Beer & Pub Association and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.

[Gill Furniss]

Twenty-nine pubs are closing every week, and the industry estimates that it will need to increase prices by 30p per pint to deal with the £421 million rates increase after the revaluation. All small businesses—many of them in my constituency—are in the firing line. Given the public outcry from local businesses, local authorities and even his own Back Benchers, does the Minister agree with Labour that there should be a full review of the operation of business rates?

[Andrew Percy]

Pubs and pub-restaurants in Yorkshire and the Humber will see a 4% cut in their rates overall, and many will also benefit from the doubling of small business rate relief. However, as I said in response to an earlier question, the Secretary of State and the Chancellor are continuing to look closely at what further support can be made available to those most affected by rises.