Labour Party manifesto: Changed business rates system can help keep pubs thriving

Responding to the publication of the Labour Party’s General Election manifesto, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: 

“CAMRA members will be pleased to see that Labour’s manifesto includes a commitment to change the outdated business rates system to make it fairer between online enterprises and bricks and mortar businesses like pubs which are massively penalised in the current system.  

“Any changed system must make sure that pubs no longer pay a disproportionate share of rates and that a new, fairer business rate regime recognises their community value to help keep our locals open and thriving as a vital part of our social fabric.

“Whilst it does not feature in the manifesto, CAMRA looks forward to working with Labour MPs in the next Parliament to develop their policy for a ‘community right to buy’ giving local communities in England a right in law to have first refusal on buying privately-owned community assets which would be a gamechanger for people who want to save and take over the running of their local pubs if they are under threat of closure, conversion or demolition.” 

Ends

Notes to editors:

CAMRA is urging the public to contact their MP candidates in the run up to the General Election. Email your General Election candidates now with the Campaign’s e-lobby:  https://action.camra.org.uk/page/151385/action/1

CAMRA’s General Election manifesto and our campaigning priorities for the next UK Government – including fairer tax, consumer rights, planning protections and better business rates for pubs – is now on our website. See our asks for the next UK Government here: https://www1.camra.org.uk/take-action/general-election-2024