*Update: The Government has announced the final report of the fundamental review of business rates will be published in the Autumn.*

In a press release confirming details of new business rates discounts for pubs it was confirmed that: “The Government is committed to launching a fundamental review of business rates. Further details will be announced in due course”. Charity rates relief is worth over £2bn in England alone so it will be very important that charities monitor this review and reiterate the vital importance of reliefs to the sector. 

Following the announcement in the Queen’s Speech, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has confirmed in a Written Statement to Parliament that, in 2020/21, the retail discount will increase from one-third to 50 per cent for eligible retail businesses occupying a property with a rateable value less than £51,000. MHCLG has updated its related guidance. More background on the retail discount including the implications for state aid, can be found here.

MHCLG has also published letters covering:

• provisional 2020 to 2021 business rates multipliers
• changes to rate reliefs and discounts for 2020 to 2021
• new burdens
• rural rate relief
• explanatory notes: amendments to the Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating Demand Notice (England) Regulations 2003.