Andy Burnham to cut tax for music venues, clubs and pubs in England and make vape shops pay more
Summary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% reduction in business rates for music venues, clubs, and pubs across England to protect community hubs. This £100 million initiative will be funded by increasing taxes on businesses that do not contribute positively to local communities, specifically targeting vape shops and companies failing to meet tax obligations via online marketplaces.
The policy aims to support the struggling grassroots music sector, which has seen significant closures and razor-thin profit margins. While the Music Venue Trust and the Night Time Industries Association have welcomed the move, they are calling for broader eligibility to include all venue sizes and clarity on implementation. Other recent government measures include cutting VAT on electricity bills and introducing a £2 bus fare cap in England.
(Source:Nme)