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<p>The Government is fully committed to helping communities respond to the structural
changes underway in our town centres. Since 2010 we have provided a total of £18.26
million, including support for Portas Pilots and town teams, business improvement
districts and for markets.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, in late 2013 we introduced a
£1 billion business rate support package for 2014-15 including:</p><p> </p><ul><li>a
2% cap in the Retail Price Index increase in the small business rates multiplier;</li><li>a
retail discount of £1,000 for around 300,000 shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable
values below £50,000;</li><li>a 12 month extension of small business rate relief doubling,
benefitting over half a million businesses; and</li><li>a 50 per cent discount for
new occupants of long-term vacant shops.</li></ul><p> </p><p>All of these measures
apply to England. The devolved administrations will have taken forward plans for their
areas.</p>
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