Rupert Lowe MP: written questions

1189 published records · newest first.

Written questions

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104008More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of alcohol duty levels on the financial sustainability of community pubs.
Answer: At Budget 2025 the Chancellor announced that alcohol duty would be kept constant in real terms by uprating it in line with by Retail Price Index (RPI) on 1 February 2026. This decision balances the important contribution of alcohol producers and the hospi...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Hospitality Industry: VATTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104007More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered introducing a reduced or tiered VAT rate for pubs and restaurants.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Introducing ...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Hospitality Industry: VATTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104006More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the potential impact of the level of VAT on the hospitality sector in (a) the UK and (b) comparable European countries.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Introducing ...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: ClosuresMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104005More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of pub closures on community cohesion.
Answer: We recognise that pubs are an important part of the social fabric of the UK, places that are focal points of many communities, where people from different backgrounds can mix and generate a sense of belonging. That is why we are introducing Community Righ...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Hospitality Industry: ClosuresDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps are being taken to help reduce levels of closures of community pubs and high-street hospitality venues.
Answer: The Government recognises the vital role community pubs and high-street hospitality venues play in local economies and social life; we also recognise the pressures they face.The Government has permanently lowered business rates multipliers for eligible Re...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Rural AreasDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104003More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the role of pubs in supporting local economies and employment, particularly in rural areas.
Answer: We recognise the significant contribution hospitality businesses, including pubs, make in driving economic growth and providing jobs, especially in rural and coastal communities. No formal assessment has been made of the role pubs play in supporting local...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Hospitality Industry: TaxationTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104002More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential cumulative impact of business rates, VAT, alcohol duty and employer National Insurance contributions on levels of profitability in the hospitality sector.
Answer: The Government has assessed the cumulative impacts of measures announced over recent Budgets on businesses and households. Taken together, these measures raise revenue to support the public finances in a fair way, whilst providing targeted support. The Go...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104001More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has produced on modelling on the potential effect of the April 2026 business rates revaluation on small, independent pubs.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 101363.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Hospitality Industry: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104000More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered reinstating higher levels of business rates relief for pubs and hospitality venues.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 101363.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103999More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of business rates liabilities on trends in levels of pub closures since 2010.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 101363.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Tax Yields: HemsbyTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103560More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 5 January to question 101570 Tax Yields: Hemsby, if she will make an estimate of the total annual tax receipts generated by economic activity in Hemsby, Norfolk, including (a) income tax, (
Answer: HM Revenue and Customs cannot make an estimate of the total annual tax receipts generated by economic activity in Hemsby, Norfolk, including (a) income tax, (b) National Insurance contributions, (c) VAT as this would exceed the cost limits, and (d) busine...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Retail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103001More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what analysis has been conducted on the potential impact of business rates levels on commercial vacancy rates.
Answer: Empty Property Relief (EPR) operates by providing owners of empty non-domestic properties with 100% relief for the first 3 months (or 6 months for industrial properties) after a property becomes empty. If the property remains empty once the relief period ...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Retail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103000More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the long-term sustainability of the current business rates model for high street businesses.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102999More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will undertake a full review of the business rates system.
Answer: The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitali...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Retail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102998More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impacts of the April revaluation on town centres.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Small Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102997More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration has been given to increasing permanent business rates relief for small and community-facing businesses.
Answer: The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitali...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Small Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102996More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered freezing rateable values for small businesses at 2023 levels pending a full review of the business rates system.
Answer: The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitali...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102995More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the impact of the business rates system on physical premises compared to online and out-of-town operators.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Business Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102994More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what analysis has been conducted into levels of disparity between business rates increases for bricks-and-mortar businesses compared to those for warehouse and distribution premises.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Small Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102993More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether transitional relief arrangements will fully offset increases in business rates for small businesses following the April revaluation.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Business Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102992More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of business rates liabilities on the number of business closures since the last revaluation.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Business Rates: EmploymentTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102991More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of increases in business rates on employment levels in labour-intensive sectors.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Retail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102990More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling has been undertaken to assess the cumulative impact of business rates increases on high street viability over the next three years.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Business Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102989More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of commercial properties she estimates will see an increase in rateable value following the forthcoming revaluation.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Small Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102988More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the April 2026 business rates revaluation on small and medium-sized enterprises operating from physical premises.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record

Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →