Claim 3763c768Checked 21 Jul 2026
TrueOn the truth scale
“Every pub will get 15% off its new business rates bill.”
Reasoning & Evidence21 Jul 2026
Based on the evidence gathered, the claim that "Every pub will get 15% off its new business rates bill" is well-supported by official government sources across Great Britain.
**England:** The UK government announced on 27 January 2026 that "Pubs will get a 15% cut to new business rates bills from April" for the 2026/27 billing year, followed by a two-year real-terms freeze. The official gov.uk business rates relief page confirms: "If you're eligible, you'll get 15% off your business rates bills for the 2026 to 2027 billing year." Eligibility requires the pub to be occupied and meet certain criteria (open to the general public, free entry, drinking without requiring food, drinks purchased at a bar). Nightclubs and theatres are explicitly excluded.
**Wales:** The Welsh Government confirmed it will provide 15% non-domestic rates relief for food and drink hospitality properties, including pubs, for 2026-27, capped at £110,000 per business.
**Scotland:** The Non-Domestic Rates (Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 provide 15% relief for eligible properties including pubs (Class 7), with a rateable value threshold of £100,000 and a cap of £110,000 per ratepayer.
The claim is broadly accurate. There are minor qualifications: the pub must be occupied and meet the definition of a pub (excluding nightclubs/theatres), and in Scotland and Wales there are per-business caps. However, the government's own communications use very similar language — ITV News reported "Every pub in England will get 15% off its business rates bill," and the official press release states "Pubs will get a 15% cut to new business rates bills." These minor eligibility criteria do not materially undermine the core assertion.
Sources:
- GOV.UK, "Business rates relief: Pubs and live music venues relief" — https://www.gov.uk/business-rates-relief/pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief
- GOV.UK, "Government announces support package that backs British pubs" — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-support-package-that-backs-british-pubs
- GOV.UK, "1/2026: Pubs and live music venues relief 2026 to 2027" — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/12026-pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief-2026-to-2027/12026-pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief-2026-to-2027
- House of Commons Library, "What is happening to business rates on pubs?" — https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10460/
- ITV News, "Pubs to get 15% off business rates as government announces hospitality support package" — https://www.itv.com/news/2026-01-27/pubs-to-get-15-off-business-rates-in-government-hospitality-support-package
- Welsh Government, "Non-domestic rates relief for food and drink hospitality in 2026-27" — https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-non-domestic-rates-relief-food-and-drink-hospitality-2026-27
- legislation.gov.uk, "The Non-Domestic Rates (Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief) (Scotland) Regulations 2026" — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/69/pdfs/ssi_20260069_en.pdf
From speech
I thank the hon. Member for the question. I recognise the challenges that she identifies. That is why we are permanently lowering business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. Every pub will get 15% off its new business rates bill, and bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years. In relation to VAT, she will see that we are offering support by cutting VAT on children’s meals in restaurants—particularly over the summer period—with those savings set out two weeks ago by the Chancellor.
Sources opened