Supporting Surrey Heath Businesses

Surrey Heath’s businesses provide jobs, support communities and keep our high streets active. Through meetings with local owners and questions in Parliament, Al has pressed for a fairer business rates system that helps businesses grow and supports investment locally.

The 2026 Budget raised the rateable value threshold for full relief from £12,000 to £18,000 for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties from April 2027. It also announced a two-year freeze in bills in real terms for qualifying businesses in these sectors. He welcomes this support in principle and will scrutinise how the changes work in practice.

Al has long argued that more business rates income should stay locally. The Government now intends for local and regional government to retain 100% of business rates income by the end of the decade, replacing some central government grants. He will examine the detail to establish whether these changes leave more money available for services and investment in Surrey Heath.

To ensure local businesses help shape this work, Al has established a Business Advisory Panel, giving owners a direct opportunity to share concerns, identify priorities and inform his campaigning.

He will continue pressing for a system that supports smaller businesses, strengthens town centres and delivers visible benefits for the communities they serve.

To express an interest in joining the panel, email al.pinkerton.mp@parliament.uk.