Public Houses: East Grinstead and Uckfield
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help prevent pub closures in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.
Answered by Kate Dearden
The Government recognises the pressures facing pubs and the important role they play in communities across the UK. That is why we have introduced targeted support, including a 15% reduction in business rates bills for pubs from April 2026, followed by a two-year real-terms freeze, alongside permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties. We have also increased the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million over three years to help pubs diversify and remain financially sustainable.
In addition, the Great British Summer Savings scheme is reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on selected hospitality, leisure and visitor economy activities between 25 June and 1 September 2026, helping to drive customer demand and support hospitality businesses during the busy summer period.
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