Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has sought legal advice on whether business rates relief for local newspapers complies with State Aid rules.

Our consultation provides the opportunity for local newspapers to make the case for business rates relief. The consultation makes clear that, should we accept that there is a case for supporting local newspapers through the business rates system, any relief granted would be under state aid de minimis rules.