Charging of commercial rents during closure by pub companies

That this House expresses support for all businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic; notes that the UK's pubs, which are of huge importance to communities, to the economy and tourism are closed and unable to trade and are dependent on Government support to survive; further notes that some pub-owning companies are still charging rent to their tenants, despite them being closed and having no trade and no income; highlights that this includes including five out of the six regulated pub-owning companies Star Pubs and Bars (Heineken), Punch Taverns, Greene King, Marston’s, EI Group (Stonegate Pubs); supports the No Pub No Rent campaign started by pub tenants; believes that pub-owners should not be charging commercial rent during the forced closure; notes that deferring rents results in tenants building up considerable debts that they will have to pay back when pubs are able to trade again, when trade as a whole will be affected; condemns the behaviour of some pub-owning companies asking tenants to hand over Government grants to cover rent for pubs not trading; believes that these grants are vital for tenants to survive the closure period; commends those companies who are cancelling rents for tenants which is vital to helping them get through this crisis; calls on the Government to ensure that owners of pubs cancel commercial rent during the period of forced closures; and further calls on the Government to do all it can to support pubs including removing the £51,000 rateable value limit so that all pubs can access grants.