Andy Burnham to cut tax for music venues, clubs and pubs in England and make vape shops pay more

Andy Burnham has announced that music venues, clubs and pubs in England will get a 20 per cent cut in business rates next year, and the costs will be funded by a review of the tax reliefs given to companies “such as vape shops”. READ MORE: The ticket levy that could save grassroots venues and artists: what happens next? The announcement was made at 6am today (Thursday July 23) and marks the latest of multiple policy changes that Burnham has confirmed in his first few days as Prime Minister – following Keir Starmer stepping down. With the move, pubs and music venues across the country will see tax rates decline by 20 per cent. The cut will cost around £100million, and will be paid for with higher taxes on businesses that “do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops”. Burnham added that the government is wanting to “crack down” on companies that are selling through online marketplaces and “do not comply with their tax obligations”, and has previously suggested that he wants to raise the threshold at which business rates kick in too – meaning that many small high-street retailers would avoid paying altogether. The decrease in taxes is expected to save ...