Treasury announces business rate support package worth more than £80m a year – as it happened

<p>Treasury minister says under the new measures, every pub in England will get 15% off its new business rates bill from April, in a package worth average of £1,650 each</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/27/pubs-support-package-business-rates-rachel-reeves-england-wales">Pubs and live music venues to get support after business rates backlash, Treasury confirms</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Rachel Reeves</strong>, the UK chancellor, is speaking during Treasury questions in the House of Commons. She has been asked about the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg9z2r8d3ko">energy profits levy on the oil and gas sector</a>, affecting Scotland, which was introduced during the energy price spike after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.</p><p>Q: Robert Gordon’s [University] have estimated that 400 jobs will be lost every week, given the importance of that sector, not just to Aberdeen or to Edinburgh West, but to the Scottish and the UK economy, will the chancellor think about providing the regional development support that the Scottish government is failing to do?</p><p>We’re supporting the transition, to new jobs and new industries, right across Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/jan/27/eu-car-sales-electric-tesla-elon-musk-gold-rises-business-live-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>