Oral QuestionDepartment for Business and Trade

What assessment his Department has made of recent trends in levels of business confidence in the hospitality sector.

Tabled: 5 March 2026Answered: 12 March 2026

Asked by

John Lamont

ConservativeBerwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)

The Government closely monitor business confidence across the hospitality sector and recognise that businesses face real and sustained pressures. That is why we have announced targeted support measures to help the sector remain resilient. They include: permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties; a significant increase to the hospitality support fund; and action to reduce regulatory burdens by pressing ahead with licensing reform for a new national licensing policy framework to provide greater flexibility for pubs and hospitality venues, allowing them to thrive.