Supporting small businesses relief

At the 2022 Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced details of the Supporting Small Business (SSB) scheme.

The scheme will cap bill increases at £600 per year for any business losing eligibility for some or all Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief at the 2023 revaluation.

The £600 cap will remain in place for the duration of the rating list, 2023/24 to 2025/26 (or until the chargeable amount payable is the same as or more than it would be in the absence of supporting small business relief).

The following will not be eligible for relief;

• Unoccupied properties
• Properties occupied by charities
• Properties occupied by Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC)

Full details of the scheme can be accessed on the gov.uk website.

Subsidy Control

Supporting Small Business Relief is likely to amount to subsidy. Any relief provided to you under this scheme will need to comply with the UK’s domestic and international subsidy control obligations.

To the extent that a local authority is seeking to provide relief that falls below the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) thresholds, the Subsidy Control Act allows an economic actor (e.g. a holding company and its subsidiaries) to receive up to £315,000 in a three-year period (consisting of the 2023/24 year and the two previous financial years). MFA subsidies cumulate with each other and with other subsidies that fall within the category of ‘Minimal or SPEI financial assistance’. BEIS COVID-19 business grants and any other subsidies claimed under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance limit of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement should be counted under the £315,000 allowance.

For more information on Subsidy Control please visit the gov.uk website.