Doomed House of Fraser stores in England were denied almost £1m in business rates relief over the last year, analysis of government data has found. more»

A trade body representing the UK’s hospitality sector has praised calls from the Liberal Democrats to introduce a 12.5 per cent cap on business rates rises for pub landlords. more»

Small businesses have called on the government to confirm that local councils' IT systems are up to date, as three major software providers reach the government’s 21 August business rates deadline. more»

The inflation measure used to calculate how much business rates rise each year has been labelled as “flawed” by the Office for National Statistics, with experts predicting company owners will be hit with an additional £781m in bills over the next two years. more»

The government has enforced a deadline to ensure the £124m rate relief fund is swiftly allocated to vulnerable firms facing the biggest increase in business rates. more»

The Federation of Small Businesses has urged government to provide immediate financial support for traders facing tough business rates increases, as local authorities continue to delay distribution of discretionary rate relief. more»

Despite the government earmarking £25m for small business rates relief in 2017, a lack of coordination between central government and local authorities has meant small firms have yet to receive any cash benefit from the scheme promised in the Spring Budget. more»

The upcoming general election will not delay distribution of the £300m business rate relief fund for vulnerable firms, the Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed. more»

The UK government has admitted distribution of its £300m small business rate relief package will be delayed until after the upcoming general election. more»

A study of the upcoming business rates review by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has shown how worried owners of small firms are in the capital. more»