Tories vow to scrap rates for shops and pubs

THE Conservatives will abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs if they win the next election, the shadow chancellor has promised.

- CHRISTOPHER McKEON, HELEN CORBETT, ABBIE LLEWELYN and HARRY TAYLOR

Sir Mel Stride made the commitment as he addressed the Conservative Party conference yesterday, saying the “burden of Labour's tax rises” had been “simply too much to bear” for many businesses.

Pledging to get business rates down, he said: “I can announce that as a direct result of getting public spending under control, a future Conservative government will completely abolish business rates for shops and pubs on our high street.”

‘The policy is expected to cost £4bn, with the Conservatives arguing it would help protect jobs, particularly for young people, at 250,000 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

Councils will be compensated and the move would be paid for by central government, a spokesman said.

Sir Mel pledged that the Tories would “always be there” for businesses, setting out plans to cut £47bn from public spending by restricting welfare payments, shrinking the civil service, and slashing aid spending.

‘The proposals would see people with “less severe” mental health problems offered treatment rather than benefits, and savings by restricting benefits to UK citizens, although he admitted that EU nationals with settled status would be eligible for welfare.

‘The policy would apply to those with indefinite leave to remain or limited leave to remain and the savings calculated take into account that those with EU settled status would not be affected, it is understood.