Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP has today, 9 December, urged the Treasury to look again business rates relief and multipliers as pubs, restaurants and hotels across Skipton and Ripon face mounting financial pressures.
Speaking during Treasury Questions in the House of Commons, Julian highlighted that Skipton was recently named the happiest place to live in Britain, thanks in no small part to its vibrant hospitality sector.
He warned, however, that many local pubs and hotels, having weathered the pandemic, energy cost spikes, and rising overheads, are now telling him they cannot invest or plan ahead under current pressures.
Julian urged the Government to look again at reliefs and multipliers to ensure this vital sector can thrive.
In response, Treasury Minister Daniel Tomlinson acknowledged the importance of the sector and noted that the Government has introduced transitional relief and support for small businesses as part of a £4 billion package.
You can watch Julian's question and the Minister's answer here.
