Labour have partially U-turned on plans to hike business rates for pubs. Hikes that would have forced many pubs to close their doors for good.
This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Conservatives spoke up for pubs, landlords and communities. And because Labour MPs realised, far too late, what these hikes would do to their local high streets.
But let’s be clear this is only a sticking plaster solution to a huge problem. A mere 6% of retail, leisure and hospitality firms will benefit from the belated measures announced by Labour. And even then, the average independent pub will still be paying £5,300 more in business rates under Labour.
Thousands of shops, cafés, hotels and small businesses are still staring down the barrel of impossible tax rises. And that's before they serve a single customer.
Business rates bills are rising sharply across retail, hospitality and leisure. Under Labour, rates up for shops are going up by 259%, restaurants up 267%, and hotels up 398%.
This is a cocktail of stealth taxation for businesses – and Labour knows it.
The Conservative Party is the only one with a serious plan to back our high streets.
We will back British business by increasing business rates reliefs for thousands of local firms and create a fair system that supports jobs, investment and vibrant town centres.
