𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Andy Burnham will consult small businesses on how the Government can best assist with their long-term planning.

It comes as his summer tour reaches Devon on Friday.

Reaffirming his unwavering support for local owners, Mr Burnham previously described independent businesses as the “beating heart of our communities”.

The Prime Minister is seeking to establish a renewed working partnership between Government and small businesses following his recent announcement regarding tax cuts targeted at pubs, clubs and venues.

Offering a 20% business rates relief for hospitality sites was among Mr Burnham’s initial decisions upon taking office, forming part of a broader package aimed at easing cost of living pressures.

The Prime Minister said ahead of the visit: “Local businesses are the beating heart of our communities, bringing life to the places we call home.

“We are helping pubs, social clubs and live music venues by cutting their business rates, but I’ve always said there is more to do.

“I’m listening to small business owners so we can work together to deliver jobs and growth in every postcode.”

Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Hospitality is how we will solve the youth employment crisis in every postcode and I’m pleased the Prime Minister will be seeing first hand how hotels, pubs, cafes, hotels and restaurants are the foundation of our coastal and rural communities.

“It’s encouraging that the Prime Minister is spending his first weeks in the role speaking with businesses and understanding what employers need to create jobs across the UK.

“I hope in the coming months we will see this sense of change continue.”

Mr Burnham has suggested he wants to go further with business rates relief at the Budget on October 28.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake Up To Money programme, he said: “We are going to bring forward the VAT cuts on electricity, we are bringing forward the business rate cuts for pubs, we’re going to look at business rates more broadly for high street businesses in the Budget, so there’s plenty more that we can do.”