'Hospitality is our identity' - Blackpool South MP Chris Webb backs Prime Minister Burnham's 20% tax cut

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, has backed moves by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cut business rates by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues.

Establishments across England will benefit from the business rate cut from April next year, with the move coming amid a series of measures that the new Government has brought in to provide “breathing space” to the public and businesses as they experience cost pressures.

The discount, which comes on top of a 15% cut announced in January, will apply to around 32,000 hospitality businesses and is expected to save a typical pub some £1,100 annually, but will not be available to the very largest live music venues. It will cost around £100m a year and will be paid for by cutting business rate relief for vape shops and cracking down on online businesses that fail to pay VAT.

Hospitality is our identity

“As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, I have spent the past two years making the case for meaningful business rates reform,” said Chris Webb MP. “Throughout that time, hospitality businesses have delivered one consistent message: soaring costs are putting livelihoods, jobs and cherished local venues at risk. Today, that message has been heard.

“From April, pubs, clubs and live music venues will benefit from a 20% reduction in business rates - a significant step that will provide much-needed relief for thousands of businesses across the country.

“Here in Blackpool, hospitality is part of our identity. Our pubs, social clubs, entertainment venues, hotels and family-run businesses are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, attracting visitors, supporting supply chains and bringing communities together.

“This reform will help give many businesses the confidence to invest, grow and continue serving their communities. This announcement should mark the start of a new chapter for hospitality and tourism.

“The business rates reforms announced today are a significant breakthrough, but they cannot be the final destination. We must now build on the previous Chancellor’s Great British Summer Savings and deliver a permanent lower rate of VAT for the sector.

“As Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism, I will continue leading the campaign for further reform - including a permanent lower rate of VAT, wider business rates reform and a long-term strategy that gives businesses the confidence to invest, create jobs and grow.

“The Prime Minister is right to say this is just the beginning of backing the venues at the heart of our communities. I intend to ensure it is only the first step in a wider programme of reforms that unlocks the full potential of hospitality and tourism as one of Britain’s greatest economic success stories.