Starmer admits pubs and hospitality will “struggle” under business rates revaluation as sector calls for urgent action

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that pubs and hospitality businesses will “struggle” under the government’s business rates revaluation, despite overall rating levels decreasing.

NFFF President, Andrew Crook said: “The autumn budget did little to support hospitality that is under immense pressure across the sector.  The NFFF will be working with other associations to highlight the situation to government and hopefully bring about meaningful change to support the sector and help to generate growth to help the economy. We simply cannot wait until autumn 2026.”

In interviews with GB News and LBC, Starmer pointed to the phasing out of Covid-era reliefs and said transitional support would be in place, but admitted that some businesses will face rising costs due to the new valuations.

“I do acknowledge, for pubs and others, that the revaluation means they will struggle… That’s why we’re working with them,” he told GB News. “They want more freedom for licensing, they want more freedom to actually open for longer. And we’re very open to that discussion.”

Speaking to LBC, he added: “At some point, the overall rates are going to be lower. But I accept that because of revaluation, that means that some will have their bills going up. We’re putting in place transitional relief. We’re talking to the sector… about what further support we can put in.”

While Starmer positioned the changes as part of a broader transition, industry voices are calling for immediate measures, not just long-term reassurances.