Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham call for more support for pubs in latest challenge to Starmer

It comes amid calls for Sir Keir to be replaced at the top of the Labour Party following his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham issue fresh challenge to Starmer. Picture: Alamy Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham have called for the Government to do more to support Britain’s pubs. In a move that challenges Sir Keir Starmer to go further than his recent business rate U-turn, the two leadership hopefuls said the Government must do more to protect the British institution.It comes amid calls for Sir Keir to be replaced at the top of the Labour Party following his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US - despite his known links to Jeffrey Epstein.Speaking on Thursday, Ms Rayner, who also previously oversaw Labour’s workers’ rights package and is widely seen as a potential successor to Sir Keir, lamented the “challenges” pubs are facing.Read more: Union boss calls for Angela Rayner to replace Sir Keir Starmer Angela Rayner. Picture: Alamy “I think we’ve got to recognise, it’s not even a double whammy, it’s not even a triple whammy, I talk about the challenges on business rates, the challenges on VAT, the challenges of the minimum wage going up and the living wage going up,” she said.“And the cost of energy – we’ve got to start looking at the intersectionality of all thesechallenges and start relieving some of them.”In her budget last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves slashed a discount on business rates for pubs introduced during the pandemic.Following anger from landlords, a £300 million “lifeline” for pubs was announced in January in a bid to ease concerns.Also coming in April are new rateable values of business properties, which have been revalued to reflect changes in the property market.Labour needs to “put rocket boosters on what we promised at the election and start delivering now”, Ms Rayner added, arguing that firms also need a “more permissive approach to licensing”.“If we’re serious about recovery, then we must fuel the recovery of them (businesses),” she said.“That means recognising the value not just in rhetoric, but in policy. And this is where we must be candid. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham answers questions during the Night Time Economy Summit in Liverpool. Picture: Alamy “There is, without doubt, a clear divide between policy that truly understands the night-time economy and policy that simply applies a one-size-fits-all approach.“Too often, policy is done to this sector, not with it. And I recognise clearly and openly that more needs to be done to engage the industry directly and consistently and respectfully, to listen, to co-design, to recognise expertise where it exists.”Fellow leadership hopeful and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham echoed Ms Rayner’s points, calling for a more “European approach.”He said: “I would … argue for a VAT rate more consistent with what you find in Europe because of the social value that your businesses bring to places and towns that need that life injected into them.“I personally would support permanently a lower business rates regime for hospitality businesses for exactly the same reason.” This latest challenge from the left of Sir Keir’s party comes after a union boss called for him to be replaced by Ms Rayner if the Gorton and Denton by-election goes badly.“I’d like for a woman to lead the Labour Party,” TSSA chief Maryam Eslamdoust told the Telegraph.“It should be an open contest [to replace Sir Keir] and there should be a widespread range of candidates.“There should be Left-wingers. But for me, Angela Rayner is a credible figure. We would want to see someone who can stand up to Trump and Keir can’t do that. We think Angela Rayner can.“I think she can show real leadership; she resonates with people. She can speak in a way that resonates with workers, with working-class communities, with women.“But she’s also strong. So when she had her unfortunate scandal, she showed leadership and stepped down. She didn’t cling on, and that’s something that I find admirable.”Ms Rayner has denied claims she is plotting a leadership bid.Backing Sir Keir on Monday, she said: “The recent scandal around Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein was shocking - and demands that both this government and our party learn the lessons, and act on them.“But the worst possible response would be to play party politics or factional games. Labour is only getting started on changing things for the better - our Employment Rights Act, renters’ rights, leasehold reform, free school meals and lifting kids out of poverty.“I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team. The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end.”

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