Government Consider Automatic Payment of Business Rate Relief for Small Community Pubs

Issued: Friday 6th March, For immediate use

Following an energetic Private Members’ Bill campaign by Peter Luff MP, supported by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the Government has today announced that they will look to make payment of Small Business Rate Relief in England automatic. Half of small businesses, including many small community pubs, are missing out on up to £1,200 of rate relief every year.

CAMRA’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Jonathan Mail, said:
"Today’s commitment by the Government to look at automatic payment of Small Business Rate Relief moves us one step closer towards ensuring all small businesses, including small community pubs, receive the financial help to which they are entitled. Nearly 6 pubs a day are closing and many of these are small community pubs that would be helped by automatic payment of Small Business Rate Relief, worth up to £1,200 every year.”

FSB National Chairman, John Wright, said:
“Around £400 million goes unclaimed every year by those small businesses that don’t know they can claim rate relief. Making it automatic will mean all the difference to small firms who may be struggling with their cash flow at this difficult economic time. This important issue was given a good airing in the debate today and we look forward to what we hope will be a commitment from the Government that rate relief will be automatic for small businesses in the Budget announcement".

For more information:

CAMRA Press Office – 01727 798443

CAMRA’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs – 07720 724733