Oral Answers to Questions

Gill German Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Swallow (Bracknell) (Lab)]

18. What discussions he has had with representatives of hospitality businesses on the potential impact of business rates relief on the sector.

[Gill German (Clwyd North) (Lab)]

20. What discussions he has had with representatives of hospitality businesses on the potential impact of business rates relief on the sector.

[Will Stone (Swindon North) (Lab)]

23. What discussions he has had with representatives of the hospitality sector on the potential impact of business rates relief on that sector.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Murray]

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the contribution that businesses such as Koh-I-Noor provide to local communities and economies. As he set out, the Government are helping pubs right now, because of the important community assets that they are and the real pressures that they face. I assure him that we will continue to look at what more we can do to support high street businesses more widely to help them to invest and grow.

[Gill German]

Like our new Prime Minister, many of us on the north Wales coast love the pubs and music venues of the north-west. The boost to them from business rates relief is really welcome, but we love our pubs and venues too. Pubs such as the Bay Hop and the Mayquay face the same challenges as our north-west neighbours, and we want to attract more live music to north Wales too. Decisions on business rates in Wales are of course the responsibility of the Welsh Government, but does the Minister agree that the need for support does not stop at the border, and that a 20% cut to business rates in Wales would be a welcome boost for us too?

[James Murray]

I very much agree with my hon. Friend about the vital role that pubs and clubs play in local communities on either side of the border. As she rightly points out, business rates decisions in Wales are a decision for the Welsh Government. In England, we have taken action to support community venues and high streets, including the targeted business rates support for pubs. I urge the Welsh Government to consider doing the same.