Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to amend business rates for (a) pubs and nightclubs and (b) the thresholds for independent small businesses.

The Government has introduced permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. Local Authorities determine whether a hereditament meets the legislative definition of Retail, Hospitality or Leisure (RHL) and therefore qualifies for the RHL multiplier.

Full details of eligibility for the new multipliers are set out in the relevant statutory instrument (SI), which can be found online here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/1093/contents/ made with guidance to support in interpreting the SI found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/business-rates-multipliers-qualifying-retail-hospitality-or-leisure.

The Government recognises that pubs, social clubs and live music venues have faced significant pressures in recent years. Earlier this year, the Government cut every pub, social club and live music venues bill by 15 per cent and ensured bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years.

The Government is now going further by introducing an additional 20 per cent cut for pubs, social clubs, and all but the very largest live music venues, building on the support already in place.

Further decisions on wider business rates reforms will be set out in the normal way at the Budget.