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Our big ask at the Budget
Our focus at the Budget is to make sure that the Government delivers the reform of the business rates system in England that they promised in their manifesto.
As things stand, business rates reliefs stop completely in April and businesses will have to pay the full rate. This means that a business with a rateable value of £80,000 will see their final business rates bill quadruple, rising from £11,000 to £44,000 per year.
This is why we have proposed a new lower, permanent and universal business rates multiplier for hospitality. This new approach will provide business certainty, rather than the uncertain annual reliefs we currently have in place.
It will enable businesses to know what bills they are facing, plan reliably for investment projects and make a lower, fairer rate for hospitality permanent.
How can you add your voice?
- 1
Use our editable tool to write to your MP and share our asks
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Invite your MP to visit your business
Increase the pressure on the Government to take action on business rates, by using our ‘Write to your MP’ tool – either as your own business or by sharing with your franchisees, tenants, lessees or peers.
What else are we asking for in the Budget?
We are pushing for reform of VAT to bring us into line with our European rivals. It would be the quickest and simplest way of stimulating demand and investment - particularly where tourism is an important source of business.
We are urging Government to go even further in tackling economic inactivity and boosting the labour market. Building on trials with the Government to run an early career 'skills passport', we have a clear plan for training people ready to join the hospitality market. This can be supercharged by reform of the Apprenticeship Levy.
The planning system continues to hold business back and we'll be looking for reforms to match what we are seeing in the housing market, with a focus on approving low impact schemes that can deliver growth.
The Budget will also see the announcement of the new national minimum wage rates. We have urged caution but still expect the National Living Wage to increase above the rate of inflation, while the 18-20 year old rate is likely to increase further.
To allow us to pay higher wages, we continue to push for reform of the employer national insurance contributions regime. A system that incentivises the employment of those on lower wages will help businesses to increase wages and take on those currently not in employment. This can be done in a cost neutral manner.
To support hospitality on its journey to net zero we also need an investment framework that actively promotes investment in energy efficiency measures. This is something we have worked with officials on and are keen to see progress.
