Rural Rate Relief
The rural rate relief scheme was introduced to help protect the last retail outlets and similar services in rural settlements with a population of less than 3,000.
Under the scheme, the following businesses in designated rural settlements are entitled to 50% mandatory rate relief:
- the sole village shop or post office with a rateable value of up to £8,500
- the sole public house or petrol station with a rateable value of up to £12,500
At the Autumn Statement on 23 November 2016 the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed that rural rate relief will double from 50% to 100% from 1 April 2017.
The Government intends to amend the relevant primary legislation to require local authorities to grant 100% mandatory rural rate relief but as a temporary measure has given the Council the discretion to award up to 100% rural rate relief to eligible business ratepayers
Last Updated: 18 December 2020