The Labour leader announced another major U-turn – and it’s good news for publicans up and down the country.
Sir Keir Starmer was left red-faced after announcing another major U-turn (Image: PA)
Keir Stamer was dealt another humiliating blow as GB News came to a sudden halt for a breaking news alert. On Tuesday (January 27), it was announced that struggling pubs will receive a 15% cut to their new business rate bills, which will apply from April. The valuation model used for pubs will also be reviewed.
After announcing the major breaking news alert, presenters Tom Harwood and Nana Akua were joined by Clive Watson, who branded the Government’s support package for pubs as just a “glass half empty”.
The Made in Chelsea star told them: “This was just a splash in the ocean. Obviously, any help is gratefully received, but given the damage was done at the time of the budget, this just seems like a glass half empty, not a glass half full.
“It’s a saving, but I’m going back to where we were two years ago in the 2024 Budget, when all the business rates relief was withdrawn, the 75% business rates relief was withdrawn, and the employee national insurance rate increases.
“Yes, this mitigates it to a certain extent, but since Labour has come into power, the two budgets that we’ve seen are still damaging to the pub industry. We’re seeing pubs go out of business because they’re being overtaxed. It’s as simple as that.
“This is what this government has got to understand: If you tax businesses to oblivion, peoples and communities are going to lose their locals. It’s simple, it’s obvious.”
Clive Watson hit out at the Labour leader on GB News (Image: GB News)
Unveiling the lifeline support, Mr Tomlinson said: “This support is worth £1,650 for the average pub just next year and will mean that around three-quarters of pubs will see their bills fall or stay the same next year. The bills will be frozen in real terms for the next two years.
He said the support will mean the sector as a whole will pay 8% less business rates in 2029 than it pays today. He said the package will extend to live music venues – something called for by backbench Labour MPs.
As part of licensing reforms, the government said pubs and other licensed venues will also be able to open after midnight in the later stages of this summer’s World Cup matches. Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “If we’re going to restore the pride in our communities, we need our pubs and our high streets to thrive.
“We’re backing British pubs with additional support, and our new High Streets Strategy will help tackle the long-term challenges that our much-loved retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses have faced. Thriving local businesses, bustling high streets and pride restored in our communities – that’s what this government is delivering.”
