Businesses seek inclusion if government backtracks on pub rates

The government is expected to announce a climbdown that would ease planned business rate increases for pubs in England; retail, pharmacy, music venue and leisure groups say any relief should be extended to them as well.

The government is expected to announce a climbdown on planned increases to business rates for pubs in England. In the November Budget the chancellor cut pandemic-era discounts from 75% to 40 and said discounts would end in April, a change that has raised the prospect of larger bills for some businesses. Trade bodies and some MPs have urged that any relief offered to pubs be widened to include other affected firms. Key points: - Reports indicate the planned adjustment would apply to pubs only, not the whole hospitality sector. - The November Budget reduced business rates discounts from 75% to 40 and set the discount to end from April, increasing potential bills for premises with higher rateable values. - Retailers, pharmacies, music venues, hotels and leisure groups have publicly called for inclusion, saying they face substantial increases and financial pressure. Summary: If relief is limited to pubs, other sectors report they will still face significant cost rises. Officials say they are working with sectors to assess the implications, and the government is expected to make an announcement in the coming days.