English Language: Education

(asked on 15th December 2020) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to provide the English Language Teaching sector with (a) tourism sector status or (b) business rates relief during the covid-19 pandemic.


Answered by
Steve Barclay Portrait
Steve Barclay
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
This question was answered on 18th December 2020

The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities on eligible properties. As set out in the guidance, support is targeted at premises that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; for assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation. It is for local authorities to determine eligibility for reliefs, having regard to guidance issued by the Government.

As announced at the Spending Review, to support businesses the Government will freeze the business rates multipliers for one year and will announce any decisions on future rate reliefs in the New Year.

A range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for the business rates holiday, such as language schools, has also been made available.

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