Mar 2021

  1. Government Curtails Appeal Rights Over COVID-19

    Many of those ineligible for reliefs have been appealing for discounts on their rates bills, arguing the pandemic represented a ‘material change of circumstance’ (MCC). The government is of the opinion that market-wide economic changes to property values, such as from COVID-19, can only be properly considered at general rates revaluations, and will therefore be legislating to rule out COVID-19 related MCC appeals. The Statutory Instrument to achieve this was laid before Parliament yesterday and … Read more

  2. Review of Business Rates System (England)

    The interim report published by Government in relation to the Business Rates Fundamental Review here.

    This is really little more than a summary of responses made during consultation, to which MUA contributed. The full review was due last year, but delayed because of Covid-19. It was then further delayed to October 2021 during the Chancellor’s March 2021 Budget. This will give him further visibility on how Covid-19 plays out, probably regarded as essential within … Read more

  3. Further Budget Updates

    Following the announcements in the budget the headline relief stated by the Chancellor for retail was 3 months rates free, followed by 9 months with 2/3rds relief, with a cap of £2m per business. After the event, the fine detail is published, and it is now clear that a lower cap of £105k per business applies if the properties were not required to close by law – in other words, the £2m cap only applies … Read more

  4. Budget Update 2021

    Following the Chancellor’s statement this lunchtime, these are the Rating highlights from today, which initially apply to England only; 2.47 Business rates reliefs ­ The government will continue to provide eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England with 100% business rates relief from 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021. This will be followed by 66% business rates relief for the period from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, capped at £2 million… Read more