Supporting Small Business Relief
A relief that caps annual business rates bill increases at 800 per year for businesses losing previous reliefs after the 2026 revaluation.
Supporting Small Business (SSB) relief is designed to protect businesses that face sudden, large increases in their rates bill following a revaluation. Specifically, it applies to businesses that were previously receiving small business rate relief or rural rate relief, and whose 2026 revaluation increased their rateable value above the qualifying thresholds for those reliefs. Without SSB relief, these businesses could see their bill jump from near-zero to several thousand pounds overnight. The relief caps the annual increase at 800 per year, giving businesses time to adjust to their new liability.
Key Points
- Caps annual bill increases at 800 per year
- Protects businesses losing SBRR or rural rate relief after revaluation
- Must be applied for through your local council
- Continues until your bill reaches the full uncapped amount
- Available from the 2026 revaluation onwards
Who Qualifies
SSB relief is available to businesses that were receiving small business rate relief or rural rate relief before the 2026 revaluation, and whose new rateable value means they no longer qualify for those reliefs (or qualify for a reduced amount). For example, a cafe with an RV of 11,500 before revaluation that jumps to 16,000 after revaluation would lose SBRR entirely. Without SSB relief, their bill would increase from near-zero to several thousand pounds. SSB relief ensures the bill increases by no more than 800 per year until it reaches the full amount.
How to Apply
SSB relief must be applied for through your local authority. It is not granted automatically. Contact your council business rates team if you were previously receiving SBRR or rural rate relief and your 2026 bill has increased significantly. Provide evidence of your previous relief and your current bill, and the council will calculate the capped amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Supporting Small Business relief last?
SSB relief continues for as long as it takes for your bill to reach the full uncapped amount, increasing by a maximum of 800 per year. If you were paying zero with SBRR and your uncapped bill is now 3,200, SSB relief would protect you for four years.
Can I claim SSB relief and other reliefs at the same time?
SSB relief interacts with other reliefs. Your local authority will calculate the most beneficial combination. In general, SSB relief applies where no other relief fully covers the increase.
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