Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Lord Hayward Excerpts

Tuesday 20th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

My noble friend is correct to say that pubs have been struggling in this economy for a long time. In the previous 14 years under the last Government, 7,000 pubs closed in the UK, so this is a long-standing issue. On his wider question, I am more than happy to look into that.

[Lord Hayward (Con)]

My Lords, as the former chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, I am only too conscious of the problems that the hospitality industry has faced over a large number of years. I listened to the Minister’s answers from the Peers’ Gallery in the Commons yesterday, and the unwillingness to give any indication to the industry as to when decisions will be given to it, whichever fields may be covered, means that it is totally unable to plan. The Minister’s answer today yet again gave no indication of whether there will be a response soon, at some time in the next few weeks or before the next financial year starts.

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I do not think I heard a question at the end there. As I have said, we are working with the sector to ensure that it gets the support it needs.