John Whittingdale Conservative, Maldon
What fiscal steps she is taking to support the hospitality sector?
Dan Tomlinson The Exchequer Secretary
There are a number of questions on this topic, and I am sure there will be more this afternoon when I make a statement to the House on a package of support in relation to business rates, with a particular focus on pubs. As previously announced, we are introducing a support package worth £4.3 billion to support rate payers who are seeing increases in their business rates.
John Whittingdale Conservative, Maldon
I recently visited the Ship Inn in Burnham-on-Crouch, which has a few hotel rooms, as well as Peaberries, a tea shop on the high street. Both are looking at existential threats as a result of business rates. Can the Minister say whether the package that he will announce later will benefit them as well?
Dan Tomlinson The Exchequer Secretary
I do not think that Mr Speaker would like me to pre-empt the announcements that will be made later, but the right hon. Member has given me the opportunity to reiterate that at the Budget we implemented for the first time differential rates of tax—differential multipliers—meaning that the largest businesses now pay 33% more than the smallest high street businesses. That is a big differential that was not there before but which now exists because of the big reforms that we made at the Budget.
To watch the full clip of Sir John’s speech please click on the video link below:
