Cat Eccles MP - Struggling hospitality businesses need support

Cat Eccles was met with cheers from the opposition benches as she demanded the Government do more to back the “vital role” of hospitality and leisure businesses, calling for a similar relief package to the one it offered pubs.

In January, the Chancellor announced that pubs and live music venues would benefit from 15% off their business rates bills from April, amid warnings from the sector that changes from November’s autumn budget would lead to mass closures and job losses.

However, other hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants and cafes received no additional support, despite their own concerns over soaring tax bills.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday February 11), Ms Eccles said: “The announcement that pubs and music venues would receive a much-welcome reduction in business rates is a positive step.

“However, in our manifesto, we did promise root and branch reform of business rates.

“Hospitality and leisure businesses in my Stourbridge constituency are facing a projected £20,000 increase in business rates over the next three years, along with employment costs, and increases in energy costs.

“Hospitality and leisure play a vital role for our communities, providing jobs and spaces to socialise.

“So will the Prime Minister consider a similar rates relief package for hospitality and leisure?”

Sir Keir Starmer offered no additional support, but said: “She’s right that we need the conditions for flourishing high streets, and it underscores the importance of six interest rate cuts, the £5.8 billion that we put into Pride in Place and the work to put money in people’s pockets.

“I’m pleased we’ve delivered a 15% cut and a two-year freeze for pubs and live music venues that comes on top of the £4.3 billion to support businesses and permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties.”