Campaign success as Simon Jupp MP welcomes extended support for hospitality sector from Chancellor
Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, has welcomed the decision to extend the 75% business rates relief for hospitality businesses until 2025 in today’s Autumn Statement made by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP.
During his statement in the House of Commons, the Chancellor thanked Simon Jupp MP for his work in helping secure the announcement which means some hospitality businesses in Devon could save an additional £110,000 from 2024 to 2025.
As Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism, a cross-party group of MPs dedicated to championing the sector in Parliament, Simon Jupp MP has led a campaign for further support to the hospitality sector so businesses can invest and grow after a sustained period of pressure since Covid.
The contribution of the hospitality sector in the UK is significant, generating 10% of total jobs, £140 billion in economic activity and £54 billion in tax receipts. In East Devon alone, the hospitality sector supports around 6000 jobs and generates an annual turnover of £281 million.
Referencing challenges including recruitment obstacles and operational costs, Simon Jupp MP wrote to the Chancellor on the 13th of November with a request to extend the 75% business rates relief to prevent business failures and an increase to consumer costs.
This call for action was supported by businesses from across the country during an evidence session chaired by Simon Jupp MP alongside UKHospitality, the dedicated trade body for hospitality in the United Kingdom, in late October. Attendees providing evidence included Paulton’s Park and Amber Taverns.
Maintaining the business rates relief for hospitality businesses is a tax cut worth £2.4 billion, with businesses in Devon set to directly benefit from the success of Simon Jupp MP’s campaign.
Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said; “I warmly welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of an extension to the 75% business rates relief for the hospitality sector. Local businesses have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to provide us with great food, drink and experiences, and it’s the same picture up and down the country. As Chair of the Hospitality and Tourism APPG, I’ve heard first-hand about how important this measure will be in allowing them to invest and grow after years of sustained pressure since Covid. They absolutely deserve this support and I want to thank the Chancellor for listening to my campaign which will benefit our fantastic businesses here in Devon.”