Business rate relief schemes - State aid/subsidy control

State Aid law was the means by which the European Union regulates state funded support to businesses. Providing discretionary relief to ratepayers is likely to amount to State Aid. State Aid was replaced in the Subsidy Control bill in June 2021. Discretionary rate relief and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) business grants are subject to subsidy control limits/state aid. Ratepayers are responsible for complying with the thresholds and ensuring they do not exceed these levels.

The 2023 Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme is likely to amount to a subsidy.  Where the Council considers that a business rate payer may breach the minimal financial assistance thresholds, we will include the relief on our bills, but ask that ratepayers self-assess their eligibility under the Subsidy Control Act and if not eligible they should contact us immediately.

Information on these thresholds can be found on the UK Government's website.

 

 


Last Updated on Tuesday, March 14, 2023