A Bill to require small business rate relief payments to be made automatically; and for connected purposes.
Businesses and other occupiers of non-domestic properties pay business rates to contribute to the cost of local authority services. A rate relief system for small businesses is in place in England (with different systems in place in Scotland and Wales), which gives relief to businesses which occupy one property with a rateable value below a certain threshold. Business ratepayers currently have to apply for small business rate relief once every five years, provided that their circumstances have not changed in the interim period. This Bill would make the payment of the relief to small businesses automatic.
House of Commons
29 October 2009
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This bill would make small business rate relief automatic in England, so eligible occupiers would receive relief without needing to reapply every five years. It targets those occupying a single non-domestic property with rateable value below the relief threshold and notes that Scotland and Wales have separate schemes. The aim is to simplify the process for businesses and local authorities.
The bill is at the second reading in the House of Commons (as of 6 March 2009). It originated in the Commons; no Lords stages are listed in the provided summary.
Generated 21 February 2026
21 Jan 2009
6 Mar 2009
This Bill was presented, through the ballot procedure, to Parliament on 21 January. This is known as First Reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
This Bill was on the Order Paper for a Second Reading debate on 6 March. After being debated the sponsoring Member withdrew the Bill from further consideration.
The Bill will not progress any further.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
