From 1 April 2026, supporting small business relief (SSBR) is awarded if you've lost some (or all) of your relief because of an increase in your rateable value, or were in receipt of retail hospitality and leisure relief.
Supporting small business relief 2026
You can get supporting small business relief from 1 April 2026 if your business rates bill increases as a result of the 2026 revaluation and you've lost some (or all) of your small business rate relief because of an increase in your rateable value, or were in receipt of retail hospitality and leisure relief or were receiving supporting small business rate relief in 2025-26 from the 2023 SSB scheme.
At the 2025 Autumn budget the Chancellor announced that the 2026 supporting small business relief scheme will cap bill increases at £800 per year or the relevant caps within transitional relief (whichever is the greatest) for any business losing eligibility for certain reliefs, including small business rate relief, and retail hospitality and leisure relief at the 2026 revaluation.
The increase in rates bills will be capped at the greater of £800.00 for 2026/27 (and subsequent years).
Or the transitional rate relief caps for each year as shown below:
Limits on increases
| Year | Small business (RV up to £28,000) | Medium business (RV £28,001 to £100,000) | Large business (RV > £100,000) |
| 2026-27 | 5% | 15% | 30% |
| 2027-28 | 10% | 25% | 25% |
| 2028-29 | 25% | 40% | 25% |
The scheme also provides support for those previously eligible for the 2023 SSB scheme and facing large increases in 2026-27. These ratepayers will retain the relief for one further year only. Any charges from 1 April 2027 will not be subject to further support.
You do not need to apply for this relief it will be applied automatically to qualifying accounts and will be shown on your bill.