Oral QuestionTreasury

“What fiscal steps he is taking to support high streets and town centres.”

Tabled: 28 October 2026Answered: 3 November 2026

Asked by

Matt Turmaine

Labour — Watford

Answering Minister

the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Answer from Hansard

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General (James Murray)

At the Budget, we announced a two-year real-terms freeze to business rates bills for all retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England; cut bills by an extra 20% for pubs and all but the largest live music venues; and removed 70,000 smaller properties from business rates altogether. Taken together, these measures show how the Government are backing our high streets: all retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England are seeing their business rates frozen in real terms, reduced, or cut to zero.