Written question asked by Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 March 2026. It was answered by Blair McDougall (Labour) on Friday, 13 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Shops: Rural Areas

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support rural convenience stores to manage their operating costs.

Answer

From April 2026, we are introducing permanently lower business‑rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, worth nearly £900 million a year and benefiting over 750,000 premises. In recognition of the impact of the revaluation on bills, the government has introduced £4.3 billion transitional support package, to protect ratepayers from large overnight increases.

We have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning around 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change. The government and Ofgem are taking decisive action to inform and protect non-domestic energy consumers as well as improving access to redress when issues occur. Later this year, we will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy, to help reinvigorate our communities. These measures will provide meaningful, long-term support to rural retailers at the heart of their communities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 119636
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Retail Trade: Urban Areas
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Rural areas Shops Operating costs
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Shops: Rural Areas

Secondary information

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