Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits for businesses of extending the business rate holiday by six months after April 2021; and if he will make a statement.

As part of the Government’s package to support businesses affected by coronavirus, the Government has provided a business rates holiday for eligible properties in retail, hospitality and leisure, worth £10 billion this year.

As set out in the Call for Evidence for the fundamental review of business rates, the Government anticipates setting out preliminary conclusions from the review on the most pressing areas, including reliefs, in the Autumn, ahead of final conclusions in Spring 2021.