Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending business rates relief beyond the end of the 2020-21 financial year.

The Government has invited representations from stakeholders on various aspects of the business rates system through the fundamental review of business rates.

This year, due to the direct adverse effects of COVID-19, the Government has provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth over £10 billion. The Government has also frozen the business rates multiplier for all businesses for 2021-22. Business rates are devolved in Wales, and so any reliefs are a matter for the Welsh Government.

The Budget will set out the next phase of the Government’s plans to tackle the virus, protect jobs and support business.