To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to extend Business Rates Relief to local news publishers.
Answered on
17 February 2021
The Government recognises that local newspapers are at the heart of civic life for communities. In order to support them, at Budget 2020 the Government extended the duration of the £1,500 local newspaper office space discount for a further five years.
This year the Government has provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties due to the direct adverse effects of COVID-19, worth over £10 billion, and has frozen the business rates multiplier for all businesses for 2021-22.
The Government has provided various schemes to support firms, including wholesalers, including Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, Bounce Back Loans, grants and VAT deferrals. The Budget will set out the next phase of the Government’s plans to tackle the virus, protect jobs and support business.