At Prime Minister’s Questions, Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, highlighted the case of The Bertie Arms in Uffington, which she said is facing a 2000% increase in rates by 2029 under the Government’s current plans.
Kearns argued the uplift would result in a loss of £200k in tax take for the Treasury over the period and risk the village “losing the heart of its community”.
She accused the Government of breaking its commitment not to raise taxes on working people, saying: “How does he justify a 2000% tax attack on working family businesses like this pub.”
Deflecting
Starmer did not respond directly to the charge, or provide detail on whether/when further relief would be announced.
He instead pointed to closures under the previous administration, saying: “We are working with the sector to put in the necessary support, but I would remind her that 7,000 pubs closed on their watch and she didn’t say a word about it.”
The exchange comes amid mounting pressure on the Treasury to revise the upcoming business rates increases due in April, when Covid era relief ends and new rateable values take effect.
In the last couple of weeks, ministers have signalled they are preparing targeted support for pubs and are considering extending relief more widely across hospitality.
UKHospitality and the British Beer & Pub Association continue to call for a sector wide intervention, warning that rates rises of up to 76% for pubs and more than 100% for hotels risk accelerating closures this year.
The Treasury is expected to announce its revised approach “in the coming days”, following a series of signals from the Chancellor and Business Secretary that the original rates package is being revisited.
