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<p>The Government has announced a £1.5 billion pot of additional business rates relief
for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that have not otherwise been eligible
for existing reliefs. The statement by the Minister of State for Regional Growth and
Local Government of 25 March 2021 explained the relief will be allocated to local
authorities based on the stock of properties in the area and the sector-specific economic
impacts of COVID-19.</p><p>Formal guidance will follow in due course, setting out
the specific considerations that Local Authorities (LAs) should have regard for when
providing relief. Relief will be for LAs to award on a discretionary basis. Funding
will be available once the legislation relating to material change in circumstance
provisions has passed and LAs have established their own local relief schemes. The
Government will support LAs to do this as quickly as possible, including through new
burdens funding.</p>
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