Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions her Department has had with food and drink wholesalers on reforming the business rates system.

HM Treasury releases a quarterly record of Minister’s meetings with external individuals and organisations. This can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

At the Autumn Budget, the Government published the Transforming Business Rates Discussion Paper, which set out priority areas for reform. This paper invited stakeholders to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.

The Government will publish an interim report that sets out a clear direction of travel for the business rates system, with further policy detail to follow at Autumn Budget 2025.