Written question asked by Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 March 2025. It was answered by James Murray (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 on behalf of the Treasury.

Beer and Public Houses: Business Rates

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to the (a) Small Business Multiplier and (b) Standard Multiplier on business sustainability in the beer and pub sector.

Answer

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above.

The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025, taking account of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation as well as the broader economic and fiscal context.

Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025 – to take effect in the 2026-27 billing year – HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 39243
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Beer Business rates Public houses
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Beer and Public Houses: Business Rates

Secondary information

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