Business Rates

Lewis Atkinson Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

I hope that I will be out of trouble before too long. We will double the hospitality support fund, providing £10 million of funding over the next three years. That fund aims to help more than 1,000 pubs diversify their business model, improve efficiency and productivity in the sector, and support people who are furthest from the labour market in moving into jobs in hospitality.

[Lewis Atkinson (Sunderland Central) (Lab)]

I welcome the 15% off business rates for pubs in Sunderland. As we are a music city—live music is core to our identity and regeneration—I particularly welcome the steps that the Minister has announced for live music venues, and his engagement with me and the Music Venue Trust. Could he say a little bit about the methodology for music venues? I know that he will look at the pub methodology, but would he consider discussing the future methodology for music venues? We could perhaps do that at a gig at Independent, or over a pint at the Ship Isis afterwards.

[Dan Tomlinson]

I thank my hon. Friend for his representations on behalf of businesses in his constituency. The Government are clear that we will look at the pub and hotel methodologies specifically. I would be happy to have a conversation with him about issues for other sectors, but the Government will focus on pubs and hotels. However, I would be happy to meet, to see if I can make it up to his constituency.