Reliefs and Exemptions
Supporting Small Business Relief 2026
You can get supporting small business relief from 1 April 2026 if your business rates bill increases as a result of the 2026 revaluation and you've lost some or all of your Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief or Retail Hospitality & Leisure Relief because of an increase in your rateable value
At the 2025 Autumn Budget the Chancellor announced that the 2026 Supporting Small Business Relief scheme will cap bill increases at £800 per year or the relevant caps within transitional relief (whichever is the greatest) for any business losing eligibility for certain reliefs, including Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, and Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief at the 2026 revaluation.
The increase in rates bills will be capped at the greater of:
£800.00 for 2026/27
£1600.00 for 2027/28
£2400.00 for 2028/29
Or the transitional rate relief caps for each year as shown below:
Limits on increases | |||
Year | Small Business (RV UP TO £20,000) | Medium Business (RV £20,001 TO £100,000) | Large Business (RV > £100,000) |
2026/2027 | 5% | 15% | 30% |
2027/2028 | 10% | 25% | 25% |
2028/2029 | 25% | 40% | 25% |
The scheme also provides support for those previously eligible for the 2023 SSB scheme and facing large increases in 2026/27. These ratepayers will retain the relief for one further year only.
You do not need to apply for this relief it will be applied automatically to qualifying accounts.
The council will adjust your bill if you're eligible.
You can read the full guidance here Supporting Small Business Relief 2026
You can view the 2023-26 Torridge Policy here Torridge Supporting Small Business Relief Policy 2023-26 (PDF, 189 KB)
