Business rates budget statement
At the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, the Chancellor announced that government would provide the following measures to support businesses in England:-
- An additional 20% relief for pubs, social clubs, and most live music venues, bringing the total relief to 35%. Live music venues with a rateable value of £1 million or more are excluded.
- Increased Small Business Rate Relief thresholds for qualifying retail, hospitality, and leisure properties: £18,000 for full relief, up from £12,000, and £21,000 for tapered relief, up from £15,000.
- A real-terms freeze for qualifying Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) properties in 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, limiting relevant increases to CPI inflation. There are exclusions, including increases arising from property improvements or the loss of other reliefs.
- A one-year extension of the Supporting Small Business (SSB) scheme for ratepayers who received the 2023 SSB scheme.
- Removal of the £150 and £300 Valuation Tribunal appeal fees.
- Removal of RHL multiplier eligibility from Adult Gaming Centres, and removal of both RHL multiplier and Small Business Rate Relief eligibility from vape shops
- Further measures to address business-rates avoidance.
Contact us - Business rates
0333 038 6551
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialling)
Vale of White Horse District Council
PO Box 161
Erith
DA8 9DR
