Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential compounded impact of (a) National Insurance contribution rises (b) business rate rises and (c) energy price rises on pubs in Lincolnshire.

Recognising the value pubs bring and the challenges they face, on business rates the Government has introduced a 1-year 15 per cent relief for all pubs and live music venues in 2026/27, on top of the existing support package announced at Budget. This means around three quarters of pubs see their bills either falling or remaining the same in 2026/27.

For the following two years, their bills will then be frozen in real terms. As a sector, pubs will pay 8 per cent less in business rates in 2029 than they did in 2025/26.

The Government also recognises the pressure high energy costs place on businesses. The main reason why businesses’ energy costs remain high is because wholesale prices remain significantly higher than their historic levels, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Over the long term, shifting away from volatile fossil fuels towards clean, homegrown power will reduce exposure to global price shocks and deliver more stable, affordable electricity for businesses.

To support pubs, we have also announced that we are more than doubling the Hospitality Support Fund, with £10 million of funding over three years. This fund will aim to help hundreds of rural pubs to diversify their business models, improve efficiency and productivity in the sector; and support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality.