GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO SHIELD PUBS FROM BUSINESS RATE INCREASES

STRUGGLING pubs will be given a 15 per cent cut in new business rate bills under a major government support package unveiled yesterday.

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The £300 million support package comes after pubs warned budget tax changes could lead to mass closures, job cuts and price rises.

Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the measure will apply from April while bills for boozers will also see a real-terms freeze for a further two years. The valuation model used for pubs will also be reviewed.

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. Then bills will be frozen in real terms for the next two years.”