Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Trefnydd
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today, Small Business Rates Relief: Survey Analysis, has been published on the Welsh Government website. The report was commissioned by the Welsh Government as a follow up to the 2010 evaluation of small business rates relief in Wales.
Small business rates relief: survey analysis
The objective of the Welsh Government is to review the effectiveness of non-domestic rates relief schemes, considering how best to balance the vital revenue raised alongside supporting businesses with their rates. This report makes a contribution to the consideration of whether the Small Business Rates Relief scheme is targeted appropriately. However, it is clear that further work would be needed to focus in on the experiences of businesses who are eligible for Small Business Rates Relief and the additional pressures small businesses are facing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Themes explored include the different characteristics of businesses that receive Small Business Rates Relief; comparisons between businesses undertaking different activities receiving any form of business rates relief and perceptions among small and medium sized businesses overall. The perceptions revealed that the majority of businesses surveyed were in favour of the rates relief schemes, particularly for ensuring businesses in deprived and rural communities survive.
This research is one strand of work within a broader programme exploring local taxation reform and the wider local government finance system.