Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by James Murray (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 on behalf of the Treasury.

Business Rates: Tax Allowances

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the joint Number 10 press release entitled Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues, published on 23 July 2026, if he will set out the evidential basis and methodology that 32,000 businesses will benefit; and whether businesses which may be subject to the high value surcharge rate will be eligible for the relief.

Answer

The 20% relief will be available for all pubs, social clubs, and all but the very largest live music venues. The vast majority of music venues are expected to benefit. The estimate that nearly 32,000 pubs, social clubs and live music venues will benefit is based on the number of properties in England which are classified by HMRC’s Valuation Office (VO) as pubs, social clubs and live music venues.

The Government will set out further details of the relief, including the treatment of the very largest venues, at the Budget.

The scope of the 20 per cent relief will broadly mirror the scope of the existing 15 per cent relief[1]. Eligible social clubs must be open to the general public and permit drinks to be purchased at a bar.

Social clubs are long-established community venues that bring people together, support local activities and provide an important social space in towns and villages across the country. This includes venues such as working men's clubs, ex-servicemen's clubs and other community membership clubs that are open to broad sections of the local community.

The 20 per cent relief will be awarded at the discretion of Local Authorities, who will determine eligibility using guidance published by the Government and based on existing definitions.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
20264
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Business rates Tax allowances
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk