Labour's Andy Burnham calls for business rates cut for pubs and small firms
Labour’s by-election candidate Andy Burnham is demanding action to lower business rates for pubs and small businesses across Makerfield, as he called small family high street firms “the heart and soul of Britain”.
His call for action would see pubs and clubs receive a 20 per cent business rate cut next year.
It would also mean small family-run businesses – including independent shops, restaurants and cafes – being taken out of paying business rates altogether.
Mr Burnham visited All You Need Is Lunch, in Ashton, where he spoke to owner Ste about the pressure business rates are putting on small firms.
He then went to The Holts Arms, in Orrell, where he met landlord Ian Mitty and spoke about the need to back local pubs and high street businesses.
He vowed that, if elected as MP for Makerfield, he would back these family-run firms, saying: “I am on your side”.
Alongside support for pubs and live music venues, his targeted move would raise the rates-free threshold for the first time since 2017 for small, independent high street retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.
A new taper would be introduced to ensure they do not face a sudden cliff-edge.
Mr Burnham is also demanding action on the warehouses run by online tech giants, as well “unscrupulous” landlords who leave stores empty which blight the high street to help fund the move.
Online firms have been criticised for paying rates far below their high street equivalents, even as revenues and profits soar.
Mr Burnham, who is mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Our high streets matter to me because they matter to the people who live here. I want to make sure that these family-owned businesses, as the heart and soul of this country, are protected and given the chance to thrive.
“I am willing to be honest about where we have fallen short – and say that my party has got this wrong in Government. They have undervalued the contribution these businesses make to our livelihoods and our communities.
“Reconnecting Labour to working-class Britain means backing our high streets and reconnecting with our local family-run businesses. I want to build a future where businesses in Makerfield can grow in confidence knowing we are on their side. That starts with giving them a fairer tax system and standing up for the people who run them.”
Ian Mitty, from The Holts Arms, said: "Every pound saved in business rates can be put back into our local pub. It's exactly the sort of support pubs need to keep serving our communities. I support Andy in campaigning for this."
Dan Shaw, from Hare and Hounds, Hindley, said: "After a tough couple of years for pubs, support with business rates would really help us. I'm supporting Andy to deliver the changes we need."
Voters in Makerfield will go to the polls to choose their next MP on Thursday, June 18.
The by-election candidates are: Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats), Count Binface (Count Binface Party), Andy Burnham (Labour and Co-operative Party), Dan Clarke (Libertarian Party), John Dyer (independent), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Paul Gould (independent), Howling Laud Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Rob Kenyon (Reform UK), Robert Pownall (independent), Rebecca Shepherd (Restore Britain), Sarah Wakefield (Green Party), Peter Ward (Rejoin EU Bring in PR) and Michael Winstanley (Conservative).