More than 5,000 pubs facing sharp business rate hikes as tax valuations double

The PM said ‘when our locals do well, our economy does too’ (Alamy/PA) -

More 5,000 pubs are set for sharp jumps in business rates after their property tax valuations doubled following the autumn budget, the boss of a Government agency has warned.

Jonathan Russell, chief executive of the Valuation Office Agency, confirmed a significant increase in the figures used to calculate property taxes for pubs at Parliament’s Treasury Select Committee on Tuesday.