Business owners hit by recent flooding will have “immediate relief” on their business rates, it has been announced.
Confirming the move today, the Prime Minister said both businesses and households will be exempt from council tax and business rates.
It comes after parts of the country were badly affected by intense rainfall. Sheffield and Doncaster, the towns hit hardest by the floods, saw troops deployed to deliver more than 20,000 sandbags as schools and businesses were forced to close.
Commuters also faced major disruption as flooding hit rail services in the north of England and the Midlands.
According to the report, households and businesses which have been “intensely” affected by the flooding will be eligible for 100 per cent relief on their council tax and business rates “for at least three months”.
Commenting on the measure, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “It will take time for communities to get back on their feet, and hard-working people and businesses who have experienced intense flooding should not have to worry about paying council tax and business rates while they focus on their recovery.
“Funding announced today will give all eligible, flooded households and businesses immediate relief on their council tax and business rates for at least the next three months, and help communities recover.”
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is also launching a Business Recovery Grant which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized business which has suffered severe impacts from the floods that cannot be recovered from insurance. A similar fund will be available for farmers badly affected by the flooding.
For help and advice applying for grant funding, please get in touch with our expert team.