Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend eligibility for the (a) Small Business Grants Fund and (b) business rates relief to include private dental practices.

A business with a property that on 11 March 2020 was eligible for Small Business Rate Relief Scheme or the Rural Rate Relief Scheme, will be eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF). Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the SBGF should be directed to the relevant local authority. There are currently no plans to change eligibility criteria for the schemes. However, officials are keeping in close contact with local authorities to monitor and understand how the schemes are being implemented.

A range of further measures to support all businesses including those not eligible for the business rates holiday, such as dentists, has also been made available. For example, the Government has launched the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms keep people in employment, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank backed by an 80% Government guarantee, and is deferring VAT payments for this quarter.

The Government will consider any further financial assistance necessary to help businesses get through this period.