Government expected to address business rates issue

The government is expected to announce a climbdown on forthcoming increases to the business rates bill faced by pubs.

According to the BBC and other national news outlets, the government is expected to say it will make changes to how business rates are calculated for pubs.

The move comes after widespread anger from across the hospitality industry over lack of support being offered from government as taxes and costs continue to go up.

Despite Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget cutting business rates, relief on the tax is due to come to an end in April 2026, meaning a sharp rise for the majority of businesses.

As a result, the government is expected to reduce the business rates multiplier in the coming days. 

"Doing nothing and letting pubs go to the wall was never going to tolerated by pub goers, publicans or MPs," says Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA chairman. "The government must urgently end the uncertainly and announce the extra help and permanently lower bills our locals were promised and need to survive and thrive."

Not just pubs

Trade body UKHospitality says the action needs to be a hospitality-wide solution, as the entire sector is affected. 

"The entire hospitality sector is affected by these hikes - from pubs and hotels to restaurants and cafes," says Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality. "We need a hospitality-wide solution, which is why the government should implement the maximum possible 20p discount to the multiplier for all hospitality properties."

Following the Autumn Budget, pub operators around the UK began banning Labour MPs from visiting their venues. 

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