- Pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to benefit from a 20 per cent cut in business rates from April next year.
- The discount will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses, with a typical pub expected to save about £1,100 annually, though the largest live music venues are not eligible.
- The business rates overhaul will be funded by reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not positively contribute to local communities, such as vape shops, and by cracking down on online marketplaces that fail to comply with tax obligations.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the measure, fulfilling his pledge to protect pubs and local high streets, and indicated further reforms to the wider business rates system are expected at the Budget.
- The announcement precedes Mr Burnham's trip to Scotland to meet First Minister John Swinney and attend the Commonwealth Games, marking his first in-person meeting with Scottish and UK leaders since becoming Prime Minister.
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