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Business Rates: Tax Allowances

Asked by Gareth SnellLabour (Co-op)TreasuryTabled Answered 21 May 2026UIN 168

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on business rate relief for firms that install external wall insulation on industrial units to reduce energy costs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

The Government is committed to supporting businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their premises, helping to reduce their energy costs. The business rates system already provides certain reliefs and exemptions, including Improvement Relief which provides 12 months of relief for qualifying improvements to a property.

Additionally, a Call for Evidence on business rates and investment closed on 18 February. It asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, with questions on Improvement Relief.

The Government is carefully considering representations it has received, and a response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.

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