Impact of changes to business rates relief on high street businesses
Share your views for a Parliamentary debate
Deadline: midday, Tuesday 3 June
"High streets are the beating hearts of towns and communities across the United Kingdom.
However, many high street businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector have been affected by the reduction in Business Rates Relief from 75% to 40% for 2025/6.
My debate in Westminster Hall will explore how changes to Business Rates Relief are impacting high street businesses.
I would be grateful to hear from anyone with insights into high street businesses, as your experiences will provide invaluable context for this debate."
Deadline: midday, Tuesday 3 June.
How to watch the debate:
Links to watch the debate and read the transcript will be added to this page as soon as they are available from Wednesday 4 June.
How your contributions are shared
In these exercises, members of the public who have signed relevant petitions or are subscribed to parliamentary newsletters are invited to share their experiences and ideas.
These are passed on to the MP leading the debate, who may refer to them directly in their speeches.
Find other petitions on the Petitions website.
Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for more opportunities to share your experiences for debates like these.
What happens next?
If you shared your email in the survey, we’ll send you an update after the debate with links to watch it and read the transcript. This will also include information about the Government's response.
What is a Westminster Hall Debate?
Resources and support
Parliamentary resources
House of Commons Library
Relevant research:
House of Lords Library
Relevant research:
- House of Lords Built Environment Committee's inquiry: ‘High streets: Life beyond retail?’ (May 2025)
Other resources and support
- GOV.UK: Business rates
- GOV.UK: Business finance and support
What are Westminster Hall debates?
Westminster Hall debates enable backbench MPs from any party to raise an issue, and receive a response from the government.
They do not involve a vote on a particular action or decision.
Instead, the aim is to:
- raise awareness of an issue, often as part of a wider campaign
- seek to influence government policy
- put the views of backbench MPs, opposition parties, and the government on record.
The setting
Westminster Hall debates happen in the Grand Committee Room — the second chamber of the House of Commons.
Here, MPs sit in a horseshoe shape. This can help to encourage a constructive atmosphere.
Chairing the debate
Westminster Hall debates are chaired by an MP. The role of the Chair is to:
- ensure debates keep to the time allocated
- call on MPs to speak
- make sure MPs follow the rules of debate.
To mark the start of the debate the Chair says:
"Order, order"
Opening the debate
The MP leading the debate makes the first speech.
They will generally:
- outline their views on the issue
- present examples
- in some cases, call on the government to take action.
Backbench speeches
After the opening speech, other backbench MPs take turns to speak in the debate.
The main opposition parties
For longer debates, the main opposition parties then have a chance to respond.
An MP from the third largest party generally goes first, and is followed by an MP from the official Opposition.
They outline their party’s position on the issue.
The government's response
The Chair then calls the Minister to respond to the debate on behalf of the government.
The Minister will generally:
- respond to concerns raised by MPs
- explain the government's position and policies
- share relevant plans or ambitions for the future.
Closing the debate
If there is enough time, the MP who opened the debate can make final comments.
The debate is then concluded.
Engaging with debates
- You can contact your MP and ask them to attend a debate. Or you can ask them to lead their own debate on an issue you feel is important.
- For some debates, you may be asked to share your insights and experiences. This can help inform the MPs taking part in the debate. See the Chamber Engagement website for details.
- You can watch debates online, read the transcripts, or attend in person. Find out what's on by looking at the Parliamentary calendar.
Lisa, Ian and Charlotte helped inform previous debates on topics like the menopause and pensions advice:
For more on Westminster Hall debates, see How Parliament Works.
Photo credit: UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor
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