Teesside businesses worried about empty high streets
Many traders have been excluded from business-rate discounts
Businesses in Teesside are urging the Government to act to stop high streets from being empty.
It's after pubs and music venues received temporary business-rate discounts last week while many other traders were excluded.
Matt Vickers is the Conservative MP for Stockton West. He says it's a sticking plaster: "Under the last Government 18,000 jobs were created in the hospitality sector. Since this Government came to office, they've slammed these small businesses with the end result is that 111,000 people have lost their jobs in the hospitality sector.
"Two hospitality are closing every day. Those businesses provide jobs for young poeple who might be getting their first foot on the ladder, it tackles social isolation and the people behind many of these businesses are some of the most hard working people in the country. They're the people who get up early and go to bed late."
The Government say a £4.3bn package will protect over half of business properties.
Pubs and music venues will get 15% off their business rates bills from April
Pubs and music venues will get 15% off their business rates bills from April as part of a major support package, the Treasury has announced.
It comes after warnings from the sector that changes from November's autumn budget would lead to mass closures and job losses.
However, other hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants and cafes will not receive additional support despite their own concerns over soaring tax bills.
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the property tax bills for pubs and music venues in England will be reduced by 15% in 2026/27 and then be "frozen in real terms" for the next two years.
He added that the support will be worth £1,650 for the average pub next year.
Mr Tomlinson said: "This decision will mean that the amount of business rates paid by the pub sector as a whole will be lower in 2028/29.
"It will also apply to music venues too. Many are valued as pubs and it would not be right to draw the line."