Andy Burnham to consult businesses on long-term planning
Andy Burnham will consult small businesses on how the Government can best assist with their long-term planning, reports BritPanorama.
His summer tour reaches Devon on Friday, with Burnham reaffirming his support for local owners, previously describing independent businesses as the “beating heart of our communities.”
The Prime Minister aims to reinforce a collaborative relationship between the Government and small businesses, especially following a recent announcement on tax cuts targeting pubs, clubs, and venues.
Among his initial decisions upon taking office was offering a 20% business rates relief for hospitality sites, a key part of a broader package to alleviate cost of living pressures.
Prior to his visit, the Prime Minister commented: “Local businesses are the beating heart of our communities, bringing life to the places we call home.”
He added, “We are helping pubs, social clubs and live music venues by cutting their business rates, but I’ve always said there is more to do. I’m listening to small business owners so we can work together to deliver jobs and growth in every postcode.”
Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, remarked on the importance of hospitality in addressing youth unemployment, stating, “I’m pleased the Prime Minister will be seeing firsthand how hotels, pubs, cafes, and restaurants are the foundation of our coastal and rural communities.”
Simpson further expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s early engagement with businesses would signal positive change. “It’s encouraging that the Prime Minister is spending his first weeks in the role speaking with businesses and understanding what employers need to create jobs across the UK,” he said.
Looking ahead, Burnham suggests a desire to extend business rates relief in the upcoming Budget on October 28.
In an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake Up To Money programme, he stated: “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.”
