Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she has taken to support the pub sector in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

The Government recognises the vital role that hospitality businesses such as restaurants and pubs play in supporting the UK’s economy and communities, including in Romford.

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that small hospitality businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

In addition, we

• increased the Employment Allowance to £10,500 which should benefit small Romford pubs and restaurants;
• established the Licensing Taskforce and issued a call for evidence on a National Licensing Policy Framework which will set out national direction for licensing authorities to consider economic growth and cultural value,
• introduced the English Devolution Bill, which will protect hospitality businesses from upward only rent clauses, and;
• are introducing a strong new ‘Community Right to Buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets – such as pubs.