03/11/2026
A tax break could help thousands of small businesses but it is not confirmed.
A reported proposal ahead of the 28 October 2026 Budget would raise the rateable-value threshold for full Small Business Rates Relief in England from £12,000 to £18,000.
An estimated 75,000 properties could benefit under the reported proposal. This is an estimate, not a confirmed outcome, and eligibility would still matter.
Business rates are based on rateable value, not simply business revenue. Shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are among the potential beneficiaries, subject to eligibility.
The business lesson: you don’t always need more sales to improve profitability. Reducing fixed costs matters too.
Would lower business rates help your business? Comment below.
Source: The Times, 18 October 2026; GOV.UK Small Business Rates Relief. Reported proposal unconfirmed.