Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's business rate information letter 1/2026: Pubs and live music venues relief 2026 to 2027, published on 27 January, whether local billing authorities are allowed to award the new Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief to, and will be reimbursed by central government for, a social club which has a club premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003, and only serves alcohol to club members and their guests.

Local authorities are responsible for the administration of business rates, including decisions on the awarding of and eligibility for various reliefs. Guidance for local authorities on the administration of the pubs and live music venues relief 2026 to 2027 was published on 18 February 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here (attached). It is for local authorities to determine whether individual properties meet the definitions contained within the guidance to be eligible for the Pubs and Live Music Venues relief.

As set out in the local authority guidance, the government will fully reimburse billing authorities and major precepting authorities for their loss of income under the business rates retention scheme as a result of awarding the relief.