questionText: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the business rates system is supportive of SMEs; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing VAT rates for smaller and medium sized businesses; whether she is planning to take steps to support SMEs in rural areas; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of devolving decision making over business rates to local authorities.
answerText: The Government has extended Small Business Rates Relief to support small businesses to grow and expand, by giving them an additional two years of Small Business Rates Relief when they open a second premises. SMEs in rural areas may also be eligible for Ru...
heading: Business Rates: Small Businesses