The Government has launched an independent review into how pubs and hotels are valued for business rates, aiming to make the system fairer for high street businesses.
The review follows sharp increases in rateable value at the 2026 revaluation, driven largely by the end of pandemic-era valuations.
Business rates expert Jerry Schurder will lead the review and report to the Treasury by the end of March 2027, in time for recommendations to feed into the next revaluation in 2029.
A Call for Evidence has also opened, inviting landlords, brewers, hoteliers and business owners to submit views ahead of the 16 October deadline.
What they said
James Murray MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury: ‘Today we're going further with a rethink of valuations - so that we can build a fairer system for the future.’
Jerry Schurder added that stakeholder evidence and engagement would be ‘central to informing the review's recommendations.’
Emma McClarkin, British Beer and Pub Association, commented that pubs have paid a ‘disproportionately higher’ rates bill for years, making the review ‘sorely needed and hugely welcome.’
Further reading:
Business Rates: Finding cost savings through the haze
Breaking down England's fiscal devolution plans
