Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of creating a dedicated form of business rates relief for post offices.

The Government has no plans to introduce a targeted business rates relief for post offices.

However, as set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values below £500,000, including post offices, from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible post offices benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Post offices are also eligible for 40 per cent RHL relief up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business in 2025/26. They are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.