# Andy Burnham cuts business rates for hospitality, targets vape shops

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/andy-burnham-to-cut-tax-for-pubs-clubs-and-live-music-in-england-and-make-vape-shops-pay-more-business-live/
- Published: 2026-07-23T10:32:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-23T23:52:04+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/jul/23/andy-burnham-business-rates-pubs-clubs-live-music-vape-shops-european-central-bank-ecb-interest-rates-latest-news-updates
- Topics: Business, Entertainment, Government, Markets, Music, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Oil neared $100 amid Iran and Red Sea attacks.
- UK petrol and diesel prices are rising sharply.
- Continued conflict could push pump prices higher.

## Summary

Oil prices rose close to $100 a barrel after renewed US attacks on Iran and Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea heightened fears of a wider disruption to global energy supplies. The increase is already affecting UK motorists, reversing several months of falling fuel prices and raising the prospect of more expensive summer travel.

Brent crude climbed by as much as $4.50 to $98.88 a barrel, while UK petrol rose to 155.57p per litre from 150.59p on 6 July and diesel reached 172.14p. The RAC said petrol prices were 17% higher than before the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, warning that petrol could exceed 160p and diesel approach 180p if the conflict continues.

## Coverage

- [The Guardian: Andy Burnham cuts business rates for hospitality, targets vape shops](https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/jul/23/andy-burnham-business-rates-pubs-clubs-live-music-vape-shops-european-central-bank-ecb-interest-rates-latest-news-updates)
- [The Independent: Andy Burnham cuts business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-business-rates-relief-b3019960.html)
- [NME: Andy Burnham to cut tax for music venues, clubs and pubs in England and make vape shops pay more](https://www.nme.com/news/music/andy-burnham-to-cut-tax-for-music-venues-clubs-and-pubs-in-england-and-make-vape-shops-pay-more-3958549?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=andy-burnham-to-cut-tax-for-music-venues-clubs-and-pubs-in-england-and-make-vape-shops-pay-more)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.