Burnham-On-Sea MP Ashley Fox has welcomed a partial U-turn by the Labour Government on plans to increase business rates for pubs — but has warned the move “does not go far enough” to protect local pubs and high streets across the Bridgwater constituency. According to the MP, only a small proportion of retail, leisure and hospitality businesses will benefit from the changes, and many independent pubs are still facing significant increases in business rates. Rates for shops, restaurants and hotels are also expected to rise sharply, adding further strain to already stretched local businesses. Ashley has repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of business rates on pubs and hospitality venues, meeting with landlords and business owners in Bridgwater, Burnham-On-Sea and surrounding villages. He has previously backed calls to scrap business rates entirely for thousands of high street businesses.