New PM cuts business rates for UK pubs in latest cost-of-living measure

Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, announced a tax cut for struggling pubs, clubs and live music venues on Thursday, his third major policy announcement in as many days designed to ease the cost-of-living crisis. The 20% cut to business rates – a local tax paid by firms – comes after he unveiled a planned cap on most bus fares in England and the removal of value added tax on household electricity bills. Burnham, who took office on Monday, is under pressure to show he can deliver the revitalised economy Labour promised when it won power in July 2024 after 14 years in opposition. The latest tax cut is expected to save some 32,000 hospitality businesses in England around £1,100 (US$1,400) a year but ministers struggled to give full details of how it would be funded. Visiting a pub in Harlow, east of London, Burnham said the cut was a "first" but "important" step. Read moreUK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveils new government, replacing Starmer era "We're losing pubs. Pubs need to know that the cavalry is coming," he told broadcasters. Ian Hoskins, owner of the Ma Pub Group in the north-western city of Liverpool, broadly welcomed the announcement but told Sky News it remained ...