Burnham to go ‘further’ on business rates at budget

Andy Burnham says he wants to go “further” in supporting high street businesses at the budget with business rates.

The Prime Minister says the Government will look at changes to help struggling smaller operators because “the cost of doing business is too high”.

The commitment comes after a 20 per cent rate relief for pubs and other similar venues linked to wider cost-of-living measures.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the Prime Minister suggested he wanted to do more around business rates relief at the Autumn Budget on October 28.

He said: “We are going to bring forward the VAT cuts on electricity, we are bringing forward the business rate cuts for pubs, we’re going to look at business rates more broadly for high street businesses in the budget, so there’s plenty more that we can do.

“I wouldn’t want to promise the earth and say all can be solved, because I think people can see I’m facing a difficult financial outlook and I won’t bring forward things that I can’t fully fund.

“I’ve made a commitment around VAT on electricity and that does affect the smallest businesses who are able to get the benefits of the removal of VAT off electricity. 

“We’ve made a move on pubs and business rates.

“I’m signalling going further on business rates.

“We’ll do everything that is possible for us to do.

“But I think everyone knows that I’m in a position with limited room for manoeuvre.”

The Prime Minister also admitted decisions by predecessor Sir Keir Starmer and ex-chancellor Rachel Reeves to hike national insurance contributions for employers had made it harder for businesses.

He added: “It added pressure, the cost of energy is adding pressure.

“I understand what businesses are saying and what they’re feeling, and my job is to respond and see what we can do.”

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