Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has considered the potential merits of extending business rates relief available to hospitality businesses to other essential sectors, including rural engineering firms.

As a result of the 2025 Budget business rates support package, over half of ratepayers see no bill increases in 2026/27, including 23 per cent whose bills go down. Around a third of properties already pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR).

The budget support package is worth £4.3 billion and includes a supporting small business scheme capping bill increases for the smallest businesses losing some or all of their SBRR or rural rate relief.