I have recently received a number of e-mails raising concerns over the struggles faced by pubs.
As you may know, I have been fighting to save pubs in Broxtowe. As mentioned elsewhere, I fought hard to save the New White Bull in Giltbrook and successfully campaigned to keep The Forresters open in Newthorpe. Broxtowe has many great pubs and they significantly add to both the local economy and our proud sense of community.
I was pleased that during the passage of the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, the Government committed to remove the permitted development rights for the change of use, or demolition of, drinking establishments such as pubs. This means that, in future, a planning application will be required in all cases. It also addresses the long-standing call that there should be local consideration and an opportunity for the community to comment on the future of their local pub. In making these changes, I am assured that the Government is ensuring that pubs will be able to innovate and intensify their use; for example, by opening a pub garden or starting to provide live music, without facing a risk that this will be a change of use that requires a full planning permission.
During my time as a Minister of State in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, I was pleased that we were able to cut beer duty and scrap the beer duty escalator. It is estimated that, by scrapping the escalator, there will be 21,000 more jobs in the pub industry than if the escalator had continued, by the end of 2017.
Also during my time there, we introduced a scheme making it possible for a pub to be listed as an Asset of Community Value. So far around 2,000 establishments have already been listed as such, and have been protected from being sold off from under the nose of the communities they serve. People who list their local pubs are then given six months and the support they need to come together with a community bid to buy it should it be put up for sale. The local planning authority may take the listing into account as a material consideration when determining any planning application.
The Government has also introduced a £1,000 discount on business rates this year for all pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000. This accounts for 90% of pubs. The Small Business Rate Relief has also been permanently doubled from 50% to 100% for properties with a rateable value below £12,000. This means that 600,000 small businesses will pay no business rates at all, and a further 50,000 businesses will receive tapered relief.
I am pleased that, through the introduction of these schemes, there has been greater consultation with local authorities and communities to ensure they have say on the future of their local pubs. I am aware that there is a CAMRA drop-in event at Portcullis House scheduled for the 12th September and I will drop by if I am able.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me about this important issue.