Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hospitality Sector

Wednesday 25 February 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • John Lamont asked the Minister about discussions with the First Minister of Scotland regarding support for the Scottish hospitality sector.
  • John Lamont questioned the impact of the Government's increase in employer national insurance on the hospitality sector.
  • Patricia Ferguson criticized the recent Scottish Budget for insufficient support to hospitality businesses, calling for a fundamental overhaul of the current system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlighted concerns from local business owners about the impact of taxes and rate hikes on the hospitality industry.

Question

What discussions have been had with the First Minister of Scotland on support for the Scottish hospitality sector? Last week, I met Nick and Trish who own Burts Hotel in Melrose. Like many other people, they explained the immense pressure that they are under as a result of the Minister's Government's jobs tax and the SNP Government's eye-watering hike in business rates. Does she think the Government's increase in employer national insurance has helped or hindered the hospitality sector?

Answer from Kirsty McNeill

Scotland's hospitality businesses, at the heart of our high streets and communities, are the engines of Scotland's economy. The UK Government have helped businesses across the country by stabilising public finances, focusing on driving economic growth and putting more money in people's pockets. In Scotland, key levers such as rates, business development, skills and planning are devolved to the Scottish Government. Protestations of fealty to the hospitality sector would ring more true had 7,000 pubs not shut under the Conservatives.

Not addressed: The MP asked about discussions with the First Minister and whether the increase in employer national insurance has helped or hindered businesses. The answerer did not address these points directly but instead shifted to criticising the opposition.

How: Changing Subject, Criticizing Opposition

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Economy Taxation Employment
Context

The MP noted that local business owners faced immense pressure due to the government's jobs tax and rate hikes.

Question

Does she think the Government's increase in employer national insurance has helped or hindered the hospitality sector?

Answer from Kirsty McNeill

Our changes to employer national insurance were part of raising the revenue needed for the changes in public services from which his constituents and mine will benefit due to the record settlement for the Scottish Government. Protestations of fealty to the hospitality sector would ring more true had 7,000 pubs not shut under the Conservatives.

Not addressed: The MP asked about the impact of changes in employer national insurance on the hospitality industry. The answerer did not address this directly but instead shifted to criticising the opposition for closures under their rule.

How: Changing Subject, Criticizing Opposition

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Patricia Ferguson Lab Glasgow West
Economy Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The recent Scottish Budget is criticised for its minimal support to businesses facing a significant tax hike.

Question

Any support for Scottish hospitality businesses is welcome; however, the recent Scottish Budget simply tinkers around the edges, with many businesses still in line for a 400% tax hike. Does my hon. Friend agree that a fundamental overhaul and redesign of the current system is required so that we can deliver stronger economic growth in Scotland?

Answer from Kirsty McNeill

My hon. Friend is, as usual, quite right. Scottish businesses are facing eye-watering rate hikes, while the SNP Government tinker around the edges of a fundamentally broken system. Meanwhile, Anas Sarwar has been clear: Scottish Labour would revive our high streets with a fundamental overhaul of business rates. Right now, jobs and businesses are at risk, and we want to reset the balance between our local businesses and the online giants.

Not addressed: The MP asked about the need for a fundamental overhaul of the system. The answerer did not address this directly but instead shifted to criticising the opposition's approach.

How: Changing Subject, Criticizing Opposition

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Scotland Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted the closure of one pub per week in Scotland last year, calling on support from both UK and Scottish Governments to exempt pubs and hospitality businesses from business rates rises.

Question

Why would it be waging a war against Scottish pubs? Just like Scottish Labour's election campaign, the sector in Scotland is hanging by a thread. Last year, one pub in Scotland closed every single week. But it is not just pubs: cafés, restaurants and chip shops all face the same. Will he and his Scottish Labour colleagues join Russell Findlay and the Scottish Conservatives in our call for pubs and hospitality businesses to be exempt from business rates rises this year, and will he do what he can to ensure that his Government stand up for Scottish hospitality? That would surely be something to raise a glass to.

Answer from Kirsty McNeill

I do not know if the hon. Gentleman heard me about the Conservatives' record: 7,000 pubs lost under their watch. A package of support has, of course, been presented by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor for pubs in England, meaning that there is already extra money for the Scottish Government to spend in this area. I encourage Scottish Government Ministers to step up support for the hospitality sector using the Barnett consequentials that this Government have already provided.

Not addressed: The MP asked about exempting pubs and hospitality businesses from business rates rises. The answerer did not address this directly but instead shifted to criticising the opposition's record on pub closures.

How: Changing Subject, Criticizing Opposition

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)