Richard Quigley MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement of major new support for the hospitality sector, describing it as “a demonstration that the Government are listening and engaging honestly”.
Richard, who owns Corrie’s Cabin in Cowes, has been a consistent advocate in Parliament for pubs, venues and small hospitality operators.
His sustained engagement with Ministers was recognised from the dispatch box in Parliament, where the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury praised him as “a relentless advocate for businesses in his constituency” whose constructive approach helped shape the measures announced yesterday (Tuesday).
Under the new package, pubs across the country will receive a 15% reduction in business rates from April, accompanied by a 2-year freeze on bills. Treasury figures show that this will remove around £1,650 from the average pub’s business rates bill next year, with three-quarters of pubs seeing bills flat or falling.
Local Authorities will award this relief at their discretion, applying Government guidance to ensure the support is targeted at pubs and hospitality venues as intended.
The Exchequer Secretary highlighted Richard’s role in securing this outcome, noting that his engagement on behalf of local businesses represented “the positive side of politics” – the kind of constructive work that often goes unreported.
Richard Quigley MP has said:
“When I first heard about the double business rate whammy facing pubs from businesses in my constituency I was forthcoming with these concerns and I’m so pleased to have been met with honest and constructive engagement.
Article continues below this advertisement “I’m pleased that Ministers have listened to the concerns I and others have raised. This is honest engagement at its best: the Government hearing the challenges our hospitality sector faces and responding with meaningful action.
“I will continue to champion the interests of local businesses to ensure they get the support they need to thrive and will always have honest conversations with my government where necessary.”
Andy Spencer, Punch Pubs & Co CEO, which has 6 pubs on the Isle of Wight, has said:
“We welcome the Government’s decision to address the proposed rise in business rates for pubs with a specific support package, and it is right that the strength of feeling across the sector has been recognised.
“Our pubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country, delivering significant socio-economic value; yet for too long they have shouldered a disproportionate and deeply unfair tax burden that has threatened their long-term sustainability.
“Today’s announcement is a necessary correction, not a solution, and we will continue to work with the Government, alongside our trade associations, in order to achieve meaningful, long-term reform of the rates valuation system. This will help ourselves and our Publicans have the confidence to invest, grow and plan with certainty for the future.”
A pathetic token gesture…the hospitality sector is over taxed by greedy councils and the state. The theft of revenue in the form of tax needs to stop or the sector will die off..no pubs, bars,restaurants or cafes
True but many pubs take the p*ss in the UK apart
from Wetherspoons.
You can get a decent drink in Tenerife for under
a pound and they are still making money.
The government are listening?
Whatever, meanwhile is boss is selling the country out to Xi.
Already sold.
That is good news for te hospitality industry but what about small business and in particular independent shops?
It’s not a rates reduction. It is a reduction in the amount of increase.You buy a pint from me for £5 then I put the price up to£10 ridiculous.so I give you a 15% discount so now it only costs£8.50 still ridiculous.