Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will review the effectiveness of the business rates system for small business.

The business rates system currently offers support for small businesses through Small Business Rate Relief, which ensures that over a third of business properties already pay no business rates.

As set out in the Labour manifesto, the government intends to replace the current business rates system with one which levels the playing field between high streets and online giants, better incentivises investment, tackles empty properties and supports entrepreneurship.