OTLEY'S MP is calling for an end to the "disproportionate" business rates being paid by British pubs.

Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) lodged an Early Day Motion on the issue in Parliament this week.

In it, he notes that pubs pay "the second highest business rates bill in the UK", with a total fee of £7.3 billion, or £140,000 per pub.

He goes on to say that: "This House... recognises the threat the disproportionate business rates pose to community pubs, and the damage losing these pubs will have on communities across the UK."

Mr Mulholland concludes by asking the Treasury to freeze the business rate multiplier, extend Small Business Rates Relief and apply Retail Relief to ease the situation.

The motion also calls on the Government to "look at further ways directly to support British pubs through the tax system, considering their importance to local communities, as well as the local and national economy".