5. Supporting Small Businesses Rate Relief
General principles
During the Autumn Statement, 17 November 2022, the Government announced a new relief scheme to support ratepayers facing increases in business rates charge as a result of the loss of Small Business Rates Relief or 2017 Supporting Small Business Relief at the 2023 revaluation. This relief is in addition to the Transitional Relief arrangements effective from 1 April 2023.
The Government is not changing legislation and will reimburse local authorities that use its discretionary powers, introduced by the Localism Act (under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as amended) to grant relief in line with eligible criteria. Central Government will reimburse local authorities for their share of the discretionary relief under the rates retention scheme.
5.1 Key criteria
The increase on charge is limited to:
- £600 per year
- Those ratepayers on the Supporting Small Business Relief scheme whose 2023 rateable values are £51,000 or more will not be liable to pay the small business supplement.
Relief will be recalculated on any changes to the rateable value
5.2 Eligibility criteria
- The ratepayer has lost some or all entitlement to Small Business Rate Relief or 2017 Supporting Small Business Relief as a result of the 2017 revaluation or at the 2023 revaluation, as appropriate.
- The property is occupied.
- Subsidy control limits
5.3 Exclusions
- The property is unoccupied.
- The property is occupied by a charity or a Community Amateur Sports Club.
- Ratepayers who received 2017 Supporting Small Business Relief in financial year 2022/23 are not eligible for 2023 Supporting Small Business Relief from financial year 2024/25 onwards.
5.4 Claiming Supporting Small Businesses Rate Relief
There is no application form. Entitlement to Supporting Small Businesses Relief is automatically calculated and granted to eligible ratepayers.
5.5 Notification
A revised bill will be issued showing any entitlement.