A review is being launched into the way business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, and could lead to a reform of the system.

The Treasury says business rates expert Jerry Schurder will lead the review into rate valuations and report back in March 2027, with the government calling for the views of landlords, hoteliers and business owners to feed in to the process.

Last month, Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England, to come into effect in April.

Pub groups have argued they face disproportionately higher rates bills, but other businesses have called for a wider reform of the rates system.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), 161 pubs closed in the first three months of this year across England, Scotland and Wales, equating to the loss of around 2,400 jobs.

Rising business rates are cited as one issue facing the sector, although there have also been complaints that increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage have made staff costs more expensive.

James Murray, financial secretary to the Treasury, said the new review would look at “a rethink of valuations – so that we can build a fairer system for the future”.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “For years pubs have paid a disproportionately higher business rates bill which has ground down their ability to keep the doors open, so this review is sorely needed and hugely welcome.”

The BBPA says pubs are valued differently for rates than retail venues. Instead of being based just on floor area, they are judged by a measure called Fair Maintainable Trade – which means when a pub’s turnover increases, so does its rates bill.

Schurder is a former business rates policy lead at advisory firm Newmark UK, and his review will feed into the next rates revaluation in 2029.

His appointment was welcomed by Craig Beaumont of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) who said he would bring “crucial heavyweight business rates expertise into the Treasury”.

However, Beaumont said the government needed to address the wider business rates system and exempt more smaller firms by increasing the rates relief threshold for small businesses.

Tom Ironside from the British Retail Consortium also welcomed the review but said it was “vitally important that the needs of retailers are not overlooked”.

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said the review was “far too late for a sector this Labour government has already done its best to kill off”.

“Tax hikes on business premises and jobs, alongside job-destroying regulation in the Employment Rights Act, have left many hospitality businesses on the brink,” he said.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper said reform of business rates was “long overdue”, but also called for an emergency VAT cut and a reverse to jobs tax changes “which have hammered hospitality in particular”.

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Dog owners are being urged to check their pet food after thousands of cases of canned dog food sold in the U.S. and Canada were recalled over potential metal contamination.

Fromm Family Foods is recalling roughly 5,800 cases of two wet dog food products after receiving complaints of metal contamination, according to a company announcement posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall covers 3,852 cases of Fromm Turkey Pâté Wet Dog Food and 1,973 cases of Fromm Diner Classics Milo’s Meatloaf Pâté Wet Dog Food.

The products were distributed through neighborhood pet stores and online retailers across the U.S. and Canada.

DOG FOOD LINKED TO NEARLY 200 REPORTS OF POTENTIAL CANINE VISION LOSS, PROMPTING MASSIVE RECALL

A dog eats from a food bowl. Fromm Family Foods recalled thousands of cases of two canned dog food products over potential metal contamination. (iStock / iStock)

No illnesses or injuries tied to the products have been reported, but ingesting metal can pose serious risks to dogs.

The company said symptoms can include choking, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and stomach discomfort. Sharp pieces of metal can cause cuts to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, while larger amounts could lead to a partial blockage or intestinal obstruction.

The affected Turkey Pâté comes in 12.2-ounce cans with UPC 072705118700 and lot code EP2A3306 551006.

The recalled Milo’s Meatloaf Pâté comes in 12.5-ounce cans with UPC 072705132324 and lot code EP2A3306 551029.

TESLA RECALLS NEARLY 3M VEHICLES OVER DOORS THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO OPEN AFTER CRASHES

Fromm Turkey Pâté Wet Dog Food was recalled after the company received complaints of potential metal contamination. The affected cans have a best-by date of March 2029. (FDA / Unknown)

Both have a best-by date of March 2029.

Fromm said it identified the error behind the recall and has taken corrective action to prevent it from happening again. The company did not provide further details about the source of the potential contamination.

A representative for Fromm Family Foods did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

No other Fromm products are affected.

E COLI AND SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO ALFALFA SPROUTS SICKENS DOZENS ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES

Fromm Diner Classics Milo’s Meatloaf Pâté Wet Dog Food is among two canned products recalled over potential metal contamination. The affected product has a best-by date of March 2029. (FDA / Unknown)

Consumers should stop feeding the recalled food to their dogs and return it to the retailer. Owners whose dogs ate the products and are experiencing symptoms should contact a veterinarian.

The recall comes just days after another dog food company pulled nearly all of its fresh meals amid reports of potential eye problems in dogs.

U.K.-based subscription pet food company Years said earlier this week that 192 customers had reported potential eye issues in their dogs, including sudden bilateral dry eye, a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss in severe cases if left untreated.

Years is investigating whether potentially contaminated buckwheat used in its meals could be a contributing factor. The company said no causal link between its food, buckwheat and the reported eye problems has been established, and testing remains underway.

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That recall is separate from the Fromm action.

Consumers with questions about the Fromm recall can contact the company at 1-800-325-6331 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT or at info@frommfamily.com.

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Tongdao Liepin Group 2026 1H Earnings Conference Call. Today’s conference is being recorded. At this time, I’d like to turn the conference over to [ Liz Wang ]. Please go ahead, ma’am.

Xueni Wang
Director of Investor Relations

Thank you, operator. Hi, everyone. Thank you for joining us on today’s earnings call to discuss our interim results. The company’s financial and operating results were published and were posted on the company’s IR website at ir.liepin.com. On today’s call, Mr. Rick Dai, company’s Chairman and CEO, will kick off with our business operations and highlights. After that, Mr. Tim Tian, our CFO, will continue with a detailed financial review. After the prepared remarks, we will be available to answer your questions. Our remarks will be in Chinese followed by English translation.

Before we continue, I would like to remind you that this call may contain forward-looking statements made under the safe harbor provisions. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations, current markets, operating conditions and related events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the company’s control, which may cause the company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and factors is included in the company’s filings with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except