What does the government’s response to the TSC’s inquiry into business rates mean for business?

What has happened so far?

Back in February 2019, the Treasury Select Committee (TSC) started an inquiry into the impact of business rates on business, an inquiry supported by the business community. In April, the CBI submitted a response setting out the key challenges of the business rates system in its current form, and recommendations for addressing some of these challenges.

The prorogation of parliament and a cabinet reshuffle delayed the publication of the TSC’s report, but finally in November, Mel Stride MP, used his first few weeks as Chair to publish the long overdue report. Throughout the report, you can see the impact of the CBI’s submission, with the Committee adopting a number of the CBI’s arguments for reform, as well as four of our recommendations.

On 27 February 2020, the government responded to the TSC’s inquiry.

What does the government’s response say?

Overall, the government was welcoming of the TSC’s r