The Rutland and Melton MP has celebrated the extension of Business Rates Relief in the Autumn Statement following her support of a joint letter.

Alicia Kearns MP signed a joint letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement calling for the 75% business rates relief for leisure, hospitality, and retail businesses to be extended beyond April 2024.

The letter highlighted the challenges and pressures faced by retail, leisure and hospitality sectors due to high energy bills, rising wage costs, and a challenging recruitment environment:

High streets, pubs and community shops across the country have been supported. Image credit: Alicia Kearns MP.

Following the joint letter to the Chancellor, it was announced in the Autumn Statement last week (22nd November) that the 75% discount will be extended for a further 12 months. This discount is worth up to £110,000 in savings on business rates bills.

Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said: "I am delighted that the Chancellor has listened to the concerns set out in our letter, and as a result has extended the discount for another year to ensure the the viability of our pubs and high street shops in the years ahead.

"These businesses have faced unprecedented challenges and pressures as a result of Putin's renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine following the Covid-19 Pandemic.

"This extended package of support will protect the livelihoods of many of our small shops, restaurants, and pubs who really are the backbone of our communities."