Another U-turn is imminent from the government on business rates – but for pubs alone. It’s not even ten days into January yet…
Labour MPs and some Cabinet ministers have been raging at the large rate hikes faced by hospitality businesses, caused by the removal of pandemic-era reliefs and the Valuation Office Agency’s re-evaluation of rate charges. Adding thousands to bills…
Starmer said the government was looking at “further support” earlier this week. Treasury analysis of the changes has led the department to reconsider and explore valuation changes among other measures. Here’s an idea – reverse the last two Budgets…
Firms have been told not to make their worries public while the government works out what to do. Hotels are unlikely to get targeted support because people have more sympathy for pubs. They will pass on a hike in business rates to their customers…
Kemi Badenoch defended her decision not to force Tory councils to hold elections in May, telling GB News:
“It is Conservative policy that we should have elections, but I’m not a dictator. You know Nigel Farage, no one else makes any decisions, he’s a one-man band.”