VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Business Rates: Tax Allowances

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 17 February 2026UIN 111683

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 104787, on business rates: tax allowances, what is the estimated increase in business rate receipts from not uprating the (a) £12,000 and (b) £15,000 small business rate relief thresholds in line with the increase in average Rateable Values from the 2026 rates revaluation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

The Government does not hold this information.

The Government has already started the work of reforming our business rates system by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting small businesses to grow.  At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim