Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Farm Retail Association forecasts that more than 700 farm shops could close in the coming decade.

The Government are introducing measures to support retail premises. We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties from 2026-27. Ahead of these changes being made, we have prevented RHL relief from ending in April 2025 by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier. This year, we’re launching a new Business Growth Service, which will simplify SME support, bringing it all under a single, trusted banner. We’re also publishing our Small Business Strategy, setting out our shared vision to help all SMEs irrespective of their sector.