What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to providing emergency business rate relief to businesses struggling financially due to planned road closures in the 2025-26 financial year?
There are existing measures in the non-domestic rates system which are relevant to considering the impacts of localised circumstances such as road closures. Properties which are affected by material changes of circumstances may be entitled to reductions in rateable values. The Valuation Office Agency is responsible for assessing whether a material change of circumstances has occurred and any associated effect on property valuations. Local authorities also have broad powers to award hardship or other discretionary reliefs to ratepayers in their area, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.