Petition · Department for Business and Trade
Bring back 75% business rates relief for retail, hospitality & leisure sectors
Open for signatures
244 signatures
What the petition asks
Business rate increases and business rate relief reductions come into effect in April 2026. We urge the Government to increase business rates relief back to 75% for retail, hospitality & leisure. We are concerned increases could lead to business closures, substantial job losses & empty properties.
Just under 300,000 businesses closed in 2025, the number of payrolled employees fell by 171,000, and the unemployment rate increased to 5.1%. A substantial amount came from retail and hospitality.
An increase on business rates could put substantial pressure on an already struggling business market and result in significant business closures, and possible job losses in 2026 if support and relief is not put into place. We believe these increases are not sustainable and that these sectors need support.
An increase on business rates could put substantial pressure on an already struggling business market and result in significant business closures, and possible job losses in 2026 if support and relief is not put into place. We believe these increases are not sustainable and that these sectors need support.
Timeline
| 9 Feb 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
244
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Business and Trade
Opened
9 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.