Burnham pledges business rate cuts for pubs, cafes and other small businesses

Greater Manchester mayor’s proposals amount to a notable criticism of Keir Starmer’s policy in the area

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Andy Burnham has proposed a 20% cut to business rates for pubs with many smaller, family-run enterprises taken out of paying the levy altogether, in his first major policy initiative during the Makerfield byelection.

Burnham’s plans amount to a notable criticism of Keir Starmer’s policy in the area, with the Greater Manchester mayor saying: “Labour have got it wrong on small businesses.”