The Queen outlined government plans which will impact pub owners in her speech today (27 May).
In the first Conservative-only Queen’s speech since 1996 she described measures to help small businesses and those on low incomes, while creating apprentices.
The Enterprise Bill, Full Employment and Welfare Benefits Bill, changes to personal tax allowances and a tax lock propose measures which could impact pub owners and their workers.
The government will also hold an in-out EU referendum before the end of 2017.
Enterprise Bill
- Cuts red tape and deregulates, making it easier for small businesses to resolve disputes quickly and easily.
- A Small Business Conciliation Service will help resolve business-to business disputes, especially over late payment.
- Appeals system modernised, and the business rates system improved ahead of the 2017 revaluation.
- The Primary Authority scheme extends to streamline regulation, which will be more transparent.
- An introduction of a business rates appeals reform, including modifying the Valuation Tribunal powers to consider ratepayer appeals.
- Allows for the Valuation Office Agency to share information with local government to improve the system for both local government and ratepayers.
Full Employment and Welfare Benefits Bill
- Freezes the main rates of a number of working-age benefits and tax credits and reduces the benefit cap by ensuring it ‘pays to work’.
- Helps meet the target of three million new apprentices.
- Youth Allowance for 18-21 year olds, after six months they will be required to go on an apprenticeship, training or community work placement.
Personal Tax Allowance
- People working 30 hours a week on minimum wage will not pay income tax.
- Raise the personal allowance to £12,500.
Tax lock
- No rises in income tax rates, VAT rates or National Insurance contributions (NICs) rates for individuals, employees and employers.
- NICs upper earnings limit (the point at which the Employee NICs rate reduces to 2%) is no higher than the income tax higher rate threshold (the point at which income tax increases to 40%).
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomes the prospect of deregulation and business rates reform.
Commenting on today’s Speech, BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds, said: “I very much welcome the focus on reducing the burdens on business; our sector employs around one million people and along with the rest of the hospitality sector, can be a key engine for economic growth and job creation.
“Plans to extend the ‘Primary Authority’ scheme is good news, as pubs can benefit from the cost savings of having to deal with only one local authority when it comes to enforcement in areas such as health & safety and fire regulation. The BBPA is building on an existing relationship with London Fire Brigade, and I would hope that licensing is an area where this principle could be extended.
“We will also be looking at opportunities for more deregulation, and contributing to the review of Business Rates, where we have long been campaigning for reform. More apprenticeships is also great news. This is something that has been warmly embraced by BBPA members, and is vital for our industry.”
Read the full speech at www.gov.uk/government/speeches/queens-speech-2015