Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Swallow Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Lab)]

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

[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.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Murray]

I know my hon. Friend is a great champion of pubs in her constituency. In fact, she has brought together people for her pub politics events, including at the Willy Wicket, the Beaufort Arms, the Baileys Court Inn—which I have been to—and the White Lion, where people come to talk about issues that matter to them. The support we are providing for pubs will be worth nearly £250 million next year. That will benefit around 32,000 venues, which helps to ensure that they and the jobs they provide will be there for the future.

[Peter Swallow]

I recently stopped by the wonderful Koh-I-Noor Indian restaurant in Priestwood to meet its owner, Kamran, and to speak about the realities of running a family-owned restaurant. He told me how rising costs were making it challenging for him to invest and grow his business. I genuinely welcome the Chancellor’s action on cutting business rates for pubs and music venues ahead of the Budget, but will the Minister look at what more he can do to support the hospitality and retail businesses at the heart of our local communities?

[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.