Overview
- Ministers and Treasury insiders say Rachel Reeves is preparing to row back on ending relief from April, with an announcement expected within days or weeks.
- Pat McFadden confirmed the government is talking to the pub industry as bills jump due to new valuations and the phase‑down of pandemic discounts, despite a £4.3bn transitional relief scheme.
- Options under review include revising how rates are calculated for pubs, raising discretionary discounts or adjusting the multiplier, plus non‑financial steps like longer opening hours and pavement drinking.
- The Times reports a short‑term package of about £300 million is being developed, with final costs subject to design decisions and Office for Budget Responsibility scoring.
- Trade bodies and MPs warn of closures and are urging support to extend beyond pubs to restaurants, hotels, music venues and independent shops facing similar rate shocks.