Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of delays in determining discretionary business rates relief applications on the financial sustainability of grassroots sports clubs in England.

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government.

Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.