Business Rates Relief - BBPA Comments on Autumn Statement

BBPA Chief Executive, Brigid Simmonds, comments:

"I am very pleased to see that small business rate relief has been extended for a further year today. The increase in the retail relief to £1,500 is more good news, that will benefit 64 per cent of pubs. Overall, over 70 per cent of pubs will receive retail relief."

"For pubs, the current Business Rates regime makes up ten per cent of costs. As well as getting bills down, we need to make it easier for pubs to appeal their rates bills and make the system more responsive to changing business conditions. The Government is certainly giving increasing attention to this important issue for pubs."

"I also welcome the removal of National Insurance payments for apprenticeships for those under 25. The pub industry can create many jobs and careers for young people quickly, with around 45 per cent of the country's 600,000 pub employees under 25. Making it easier to create more apprenticeships is good news."

Notes to editors:

The Chancellor's proposals on Business Rates:

"We will double Small Business Rate Relief for yet another year.The last government were going to close it but it benefits half a million firms, means a third of a million firms pay no rates and we'll continue to fund it.

I will also continue to cap the inflation-linked increase in business rates at 2 per cent.

And I am announcing a full review of the structure of business rates, and I urge business groups to engage with us.

Last year to help our high street shops, pubs and cafes, I introduced a new £1,000 discount on their rates.

With the brilliant Small Business Saturday this weekend, I am increasing that help for the high street by 50% to £1,500 next year."

The British Beer & Pub Association is the leading body representing Britain's brewers and pub companies. The Association is more than a century old and was originally founded as the Brewers' Society in 1904. Our members account for some 90 per cent of beer brewed in Britain today, and own around 20,000 of the nation's pubs.