The Federation of Small Businesses has criticised the government for delivering a “sucker punch” to small businesses, highlighting the impact that rates revaluations and the cessation of relief will have on “the small firms we rely on day in and out.”
Writing in The Daily Express, policy chair Tina McKenzie warned the loss of the 40 percent discount on top of April’s revaluation of the rateable value of premises, alongside changes to formulae behind the bills “will be disastrous for our high streets.”
“If you walk down your local high street in April and find more to let signs, shutters down and fewer staff behind the counter, don’t be surprised,” wrote McKenzie. “For thousands of small shop owners, rising business rates are about to deliver a sucker punch.”
“That’s because they expected more from a government whose watchword was ‘growth’… They expected the same support that 40 percent rate relief for retail, hospitality and leisure gave them when the government adopted this in the previous autumn budget.”
According to the FSB’s calculations, a typical small firm losing the 40 percent discount will now face a 52 percent increase in its business rates bill over the next three years, but McKenzie added “this doesn’t have to end badly.”
“With the right choices, ministers can still prevent the unnecessary damage facing our high streets.”
Originally published on Coinslot on February 9, 2026. Republished with permission.