Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the pub industry.

Pubs are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK. That’s why it is important for us to act on the challenges that they face, by, for example, reforming business rates to level the playing field for all businesses from hospitality to the high street. The Chancellor has confirmed that she will be making decisions on tax policy at the Budget on 30 October.

In addition, we have established Skills England, a new partnership with employers at its heart and will transform the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to support businesses, including pubs, and boost opportunity.