Jeremy Hunt tells Trevor Phillips 'there is so much defeatism'
40 Conservative MPs have written to Jeremy Hunt demanding an extension of tax relief for high street businesses.
The letter comes ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Statement, which is now expected to deliver tax cuts after the Prime Minister delivered a speech this morning promising them.
Stockton MP Matt Vickers, chair of the all-party parliamentary group for retail, leads the charge, asking the Chancellor to extend the 75 percent business rates relief for leisure, hospitality and retail businesses.
The relief was originally brought forward by the Chancellor in November 2022, and is set to end next April.
The letter, signed by senior conservatives including Sir Simon Clarke, Alicia Kearns and Will Wragg - as well as former ministers Simon Baynes, Dehenna Davison and Stephen McPartland - warns the Government that failing to extend the relief could have a “huge and irreversible impact” on high street businesses.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak confirms tax cuts are coming in Autumn Statement
High streets are in need of a much-needed boost, say Tory MPs (Image: PA)
Mr Vickers’ letter commends the impact of the Government’s rate relief since it was brought in, saying it has helped those in retail, leisure and hospitality “to meet the challenges and pressures they faced”.
“It has proven to be a lifeline to many small shops, restraints and community pubs across the country”.
However, they warn the industry has continued to face a “sustained period of pressure”, citing high energy bills, rising wage costs, and the challenging recruitment environment.
“Many of these businesses are at the heart of our towns and villages, providing a huge number of jobs and often a place which brings our communities together.
“By extending the 75 percent relief for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses for a further year we can both protect and help many businesses to flourish in the years ahead.”
Don't miss...
Met deployed and taxi expenses boosted following MP security threats over Gaza [LATEST]
Jeremy Hunt's triple lock pressure as Labour demands answers over Tory leak [LATEST]
Rishi Sunak confirms tax cuts are coming in Autumn Statement [LATEST]
Red Wall MP Matt Vickers is heading up the call (Image: Jessica Taylor/PA)
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
The original rates relief scheme, announced in November 2022, was worth around ￡2.1 billion in 2023/24.
It provides eligible, occupied, retail, hospital and leisure properties with a 75 percent relief up to a cash cap limit of ￡110,000 per business.
A Treasury spokesman refused to comment on what measures may be announced in Mr Hunt’s Wednesday statement.
Trending
This morning, PM Rishi Sunak said the public can finally expect to reap the rewards of the tough decisions taken by the Government over the last year to halve inflation.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Hunt: Tax cuts are to aid growth... not general election
20 Comments
'I'm an expert - key tax rules for UK expats in Spain, and one always forgotten about'
3 Comments
Autumn Statement LIVE: Jeremy Hunt confirms NI tax cut and protects pensioners
1416 Comments
Jeremy Hunt 'raids public services funding' to pay for tax cuts in Autumn Statement
4 Comments
Tories warned older voters will 'never forgive' them if they 'fiddle' triple lock figures
142 Comments
Bond markets crash ahead of Autumn Statement as investors anxiously await tax cuts
62 Comments
Autumn Statement calculator: See if you will be better off after Jeremy Hunt's budget
226 Comments
Millions of pensioners dragged into paying tax as relief policy quietly removed
116 Comments
What will Jeremy Hunt announce in the Autumn Statement?
5 Comments
National Insurance slashed from 12% to 10% to help 27 million - see how you are affected
121 Comments
Rishi Sunak promises to reduce tax burden now inflation halved
24 Comments
Jeremy Hunt set to slash National Insurance in Autumn Statement tax giveaway
29 Comments
'I worked in the Treasury - don't be fooled by the Autumn Statement tax giveaway'
191 Comments
Triple lock victory as Autumn Statement secures ￡900 boost to the state pension
264 Comments
Winners and losers of Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement - what it means for you
2 Comments
‘Damage limitation': Jeremy Hunt's Budget won't stop election defeat, says Ann Widdecombe
124 Comments
What to expect from Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement today - the 5 major cuts we could see
123 Comments
The eye-watering ￡44.6billion 'stealth tax' Jeremy Hunt doesn't want you to know about
1132 Comments
By helping business Hunt is taking us in the right direction, says Ross Clark
11 Comments
Low earners to pay ￡401 more tax next year despite National Insurance cuts
5 Comments
Hunt: Tax cuts are to aid growth... not general election
20 Comments
'I'm an expert - key tax rules for UK expats in Spain, and one always forgotten about'
3 Comments
Autumn Statement LIVE: Jeremy Hunt confirms NI tax cut and protects pensioners
1416 Comments
Jeremy Hunt 'raids public services funding' to pay for tax cuts in Autumn Statement
4 Comments
Tories warned older voters will 'never forgive' them if they 'fiddle' triple lock figures
142 Comments
Bond markets crash ahead of Autumn Statement as investors anxiously await tax cuts
62 Comments
Autumn Statement calculator: See if you will be better off after Jeremy Hunt's budget
226 Comments
Millions of pensioners dragged into paying tax as relief policy quietly removed
116 Comments
What will Jeremy Hunt announce in the Autumn Statement?
5 Comments
National Insurance slashed from 12% to 10% to help 27 million - see how you are affected
121 Comments
Rishi Sunak promises to reduce tax burden now inflation halved
24 Comments
Jeremy Hunt set to slash National Insurance in Autumn Statement tax giveaway
29 Comments
'I worked in the Treasury - don't be fooled by the Autumn Statement tax giveaway'
191 Comments
Triple lock victory as Autumn Statement secures ￡900 boost to the state pension
264 Comments
Winners and losers of Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement - what it means for you
2 Comments
‘Damage limitation': Jeremy Hunt's Budget won't stop election defeat, says Ann Widdecombe
124 Comments
What to expect from Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement today - the 5 major cuts we could see
123 Comments
The eye-watering ￡44.6billion 'stealth tax' Jeremy Hunt doesn't want you to know about
1132 Comments
By helping business Hunt is taking us in the right direction, says Ross Clark
11 Comments
Low earners to pay ￡401 more tax next year despite National Insurance cuts
5 Comments
Hunt: Tax cuts are to aid growth... not general election
20 Comments
'I'm an expert - key tax rules for UK expats in Spain, and one always forgotten about'
3 Comments
Autumn Statement LIVE: Jeremy Hunt confirms NI tax cut and protects pensioners
1416 Comments
Jeremy Hunt 'raids public services funding' to pay for tax cuts in Autumn Statement
4 Comments
Tories warned older voters will 'never forgive' them if they 'fiddle' triple lock figures
142 Comments
Bond markets crash ahead of Autumn Statement as investors anxiously await tax cuts
62 Comments
Autumn Statement calculator: See if you will be better off after Jeremy Hunt's budget
226 Comments
The speech outlined that tax cuts can now finally go ahead on Wednesday, though he refused to specify what measures will be announced by the Chancellor.
In a social media post following his speech, No. 10 said that the Government will “reward work, by cutting taxes”.
The wording suggests Jeremy Hunt will focus on income tax or national insurance, rather than inheritance tax as had been speculated on for the last week.
Related articles Rishi Sunak set to be the first sitting Prime Minister to lose his seat 'Stop being so defeatist' Jeremy Hunt loses it on air with Sky News' negativity Rachel Reeves humiliated as Labour's 'small change' economic plans mocked Suella Braverman warned 'timid' Sunak six times Rwanda plans would not work Rachel Reeves would like Jeremy Hunt to Foxtrot off to Strictly