As we approach Christmas, our high streets in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner will be bustling with people looking to buy presents for loved ones or meeting friends at local pubs, restaurants and cafes.
These venues, and pubs in particular, are at the heart of our community. I welcome that, despite the challenges of the pandemic and energy bill crisis, these businesses have recovered and thrived. This, in large part, was thanks to the help of the previous government, who introduced measures that took a third of properties out of business rates completely through the Small Business Rates Relief and froze the tax rate for the last three years.
However, under the Labour government, there are now grave concerns within the sector for the future of this support. Through the Non-Domestic Rating Bill, every Labour MP is supporting increasing the average tax paid by a pub more than £5,500 a year. Further to this, the Government is refusing to commit to the future of the Small Business Rates Relief. Quizzed on this point, Ministers have repeatedly refused to commit to this important measure.
I am deeply concerned about the future of these venues without the certainty they deserve. I am aware that in the past, Ministers have pledged more fundamental changes to how these venues are supported, but I want to assure you that I will closely scrutinise all plans as they come forward.
Locally, I have recently met with Patricia Wright, Chief Executive of Hillingdon Hospital. We discussed the redevelopment of Hillingdon Hospital – which has since paused since the new government came into power – and the need for the work we know has started to recommence as soon as possible.
In more positive news, I was encouraged to hear some positive insights from Patricia, particularly around elective care and diagnostic imaging. By the end of the year, Hillingdon Hospital will have halved the number of patients waiting over 52 weeks and, with the addition of a new MRI scanner last year, over 90% of patients can be seen across imaging, endoscopy, audiology, and cardiology within 6 weeks of the request.
I finish this article by wishing readers a Merry Christmas and restful break.
First published: My Local News, December 2024
