Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to pubs in West Dorset.

Since April 2026, every pub has benefited from a 15% cut to their business rates bills, followed by a two year real terms freeze. Around three‑quarters of pubs will see their bills stay the same or fall, saving the average pub around £1,650 this year. A review will be launched into how pubs are valued for business rates, working with industry and valuation experts ahead of the 2029 revaluation.

We have increased and extended the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million over the next three years so we can continue to help more pubs, help more people into work and find more innovate ways to improve business productivity and sustainability. The temporary Great British Summer Savings scheme reduces VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on selected hospitality, leisure and visitor economy activities between 25 June and 1 September. Later this year we will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy, to help reinvigorate our communities.