Question
23. What fiscal steps he is taking to support high streets and town centres.
Answer
At the Budget, we announced a two-year real-terms freeze to business rates bills for all retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England; cut bills by an extra 20% for pubs and all but the largest live music venues; and removed 70,000 smaller properties from business rates altogether. Taken together, these measures show how the Government are backing our high streets: all retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England are seeing their business rates frozen in real terms, reduced, or cut to zero.20% vibes
Verdict: GREEN (90/100)
The reply answers the question directly and with specifics. It sets out named measures for high streets: a two-year real-terms freeze on business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, an extra 20% cut for pubs and most live music venues, and the removal of 70,000 smaller properties from business rates. It also summarises their combined effect across England, so the asker has committed information to act on without needing to follow up.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What fiscal steps the department is taking to support high streets and town centres. | Addressed | Direct | The reply names concrete fiscal measures for high streets: a two-year real-terms freeze on business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, an extra 20% cut for pubs and most live music venues, and removal of 70,000 smaller properties from business rates. Statement 5 summarises their combined effect across England. |