Simon Jupp, MP has welcomed the decision to extend the 75% business rates relief for hospitality businesses until 2025.

The news was announced on Wednesday, (November 22), during the Autumn Statement made by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP, who thanked Simon Jupp 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.

Simon is chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism, a cross-party group of MPs who campaign for the sector in Parliament. In East Devon, the hospitality sector supports around 6000 jobs and generates an annual turnover of £281 million.

Simon wrote to the Chancellor on November 13 with a request to extend the 75% business rates relief to prevent business failures and increase consumer costs.

This call for action was supported by businesses from across the country during an evidence session chaired by Simon Jupp MP alongside UK Hospitality, 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.”