The chair of the Night Time Industries Association has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Government, in order to investigate what analysis was undertaken ahead of the Budget on the potential impact of business rates reform.
In the letter, Sacha Lord asked for all data ministers could provide concerning the decision to implement changes to business rates from April 2026, as well as impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and feedback from hospitality and leisure stakeholders.
“I don’t believe the Government understands the damage a closed pub will do to the local community,” said Lord. “That’s why yesterday my lawyers issued a Freedom of Information Request.”
“What checks did they carry out prior to announcing the catastrophic Budget that will force a raft of closures?”
The 11-point FOI checklist requests information on all the decisions leading up to the Budget, including distributional analysis, ministerial briefings, and economic appraisals undertaken by HM Treasury.
The letter also requests information on what feedback was provided by other Governmental departments and the Office for Budget Responsibility, as well as responses submitted by hospitality, leisure and retail trade bodies.
The request was posted on 15 December, with a response from the Treasury expected in January.
Originally published on Coinslot on January 19, 2026. Republished with permission.