Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend business rates relief for non-essential businesses beyond the 2020-21 tax year.

This year the Government has provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, and nurseries, due to the direct adverse effects of COVID-19, worth about £10 billion.

At the 2020 Spending Review, the Government committed further support to all businesses by freezing the business rates multiplier for 2021-22.

The Government is considering options for reliefs for 2021-22. As announced in a Written Ministerial Statement on 3 February, the Government will outline the next round of COVID-19 support measures at Budget.