Burnham calls 20% business rates cut for English pubs a first step. In his third policy announcement since becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham called the plan a "first step" to help businesses, and said pubs in particular "need to know that the cavalry is coming".
Andy Burnham's decision to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues raised a cheer among industry bosses, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Details
Image source PA MediaByHenry Zeffman Chief political correspondent and Archie Mitchell Business reporterPublished23 July 2026 09:48 BSTUpdated 3 minutes agoPubs clubs and live music venues in England will be given a 20% cut to business rates from April.
Following criticism from the hospitality industry, the government cut business rates for pubs and music venues by 15% earlier in 2026, in a development tied to the same story.
His pubs have previously missed out on government business rates support, and "the increases were so huge last year that now we're sort of chipping away at some of those increases".
The change to business rates for some hospitality firms is the latest move in what Burnham hopes will provide "breathing space" for people and businesses.
FSB policy chief Tina McKenzie, said the plans were encouraging and fix the damage caused by past business rates decisions which are "holding back small business growth and jobs in every postcode".
Available information indicates that Pubs have now had two rounds of relief - a 15% cut in April and a further 20% which will come into force next year.
The business rates discount will not apply to the "very largest" live music venues, in a development tied to the same story.
As well as reviewing tax relief on firms such as vape shops and gambling arcades in order to fund the rate cut, the government also said it will "crack down" on businesses selling through online marketplaces which "do not comply with their tax obligations".
Statements
«to help businesses, and said pubs in particular»
Context
Details about which businesses are eligible will be announced at Chancellor John Healey's first Budget in the autumn.
Image source, Keith BottImage caption, Keith Bott, right, welcomed the government's business rates relief, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Available information indicates that Tax experts said the 20% discount, which comes on top of emergency business rates relief rolled out in January, would save the average pub more than £1,000.
He said online retailers that operate out of warehouses pay a "ridiculously low" amount of business rates in comparison, and "we need to make the system fair", in a development tied to the same story.
Separately, Dawson said her firm faces a "damaging" business rates bill, which is "one of the biggest threats to our ability to keep operating".
And Bott urged the government to go further in supporting the industry, cutting the duty on draft beer to target drinks sold in pubs.
