Burnham pledges to review NICs increase and cut business rates for pubs

Andy Burnham has proposed a 20% cut to business rates for pubs and smaller hospitality venues, with many family-run enterprises removed from the tax entirely, funded by higher levies on large online warehouses and empty high-street properties. The Greater Manchester mayor's first major policy initiative in the Makerfield byelection amounts to a notable criticism of Keir Starmer's approach, as Burnham stated Labour "got it wrong on small businesses."