In her budget, the Chancellor announced further changes to 'Business Rates'.
This will see some businesses gain, while many will be worse off. There are links in this article to check on your business and how it will be affected, and where to get help, if you're eligible.
WHAT ARE BUSINESS RATES?
Business Rates, also known as 'Non-Domestic Rates', are applied to places that don't get charged Council Tax - such as shops, pubs, restaurants, sports clubs, village halls and warehouses.
HOW ARE THEY CALCULATED?
The basic rates bill is determined by multiplying the rateable value of a property by the ‘multiplier’. The multiplier is expressed in pence per pound of rateable value.
Therefore, a property with a rateable value of £100,000, where the multiplier was 48p pence in the pound, would have an annual business rate liability of £48,000.
You can find the rateable value of any property via this link and calculate your business rates here
While Wirral Council calculates the bills for each property, it does not set the rateable value. That information is given to the Council by the Valuation Office Agency. While the multiplier is set by the Government.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The money that is collected is used to by Wirral Council to pay for services, along with Council Tax; grants from the Government and money from charges and fees applied to some services. This year's budget (2025/26) predicted that Wirral Council would receive £143 million from Business Rates.
Business Rates bills, which will include the Chancellor's changes, will be issued after the Council's Policy & Resources Committee meets on 23rd February to agree a budget.
The proposals will then be voted on by all 66 councillors at a meeting on 2nd March with bills for Business Rates issued soon after.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?
A new system consisting of five multipliers is being introduced based on the value of the premises, replacing the existing standard rate multiplier (51.2p) and small business rates multiplier (49.9p). As part of her changes, the Chancellor announced that the current Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Discount (worth up to 40% off bills for businesses in those sectors) is to be removed.
Due to the reaction to this, the Chancellor has said she will amend her plan but, worryingly, has suggested this may be for pubs only, and not cafes or independent restaurants. Current position here
We've contacted the Council's Business Rates Team for the latest on this and as soon as we receive details, we'll update this page.
At the same time, a revaluation has also been undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency.
This means that both the rateable value of your premises and the 'multiplier' will change.
So, if your new rateable value is below £500,000 and you do not run a retail, leisure or hospitality business, use the new multiplier of:
- 48 pence if your rateable value is £51,000 or more (up to £499,999)
- 43.2 pence if your rateable value is below £51,000
Currently, if you previously received the 'Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Discount, you will usually be eligible for these multipliers:
- 43 pence if your rateable value is £51,000 or more (up to £499,999)
- 38.2 pence if your rateable value is below £51,000
However, all businesses, regardless of sector, which have premises with a rateable value of £500,000 or higher will be subject to a new 'High-Value Multiplier' of 50.8 pence
You can find the rateable value of any property via this link and calculate your business rates here
WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?
There are some discounts and 'reliefs' available which mean that some premises could be charged less or, in the case of some smaller, local charities for example, nothing at all.
- A new transitional relief scheme has also been introduced with the aim to provide extra support for businesses which are affected by increased rateable valuations with effect from 1st April 2026.
- Changes to the current 'Supporting Small Business Scheme' will also come into effect from 1st April 2026 to try to help those businesses which may lose some or all their current 'relief'.
This is where the Council come in - Wirral Council's Business Rates team is responsible for deciding whether ratepayers are entitled to any reliefs. Ratepayers can appeal against the Council's decision as to whether they are eligible.
MORE INFORMATION:
- For more information, including how to apply for help, go to: Business rates | wirral.gov.uk or email [email protected]
- If you need help or support from your local councillors (either where you live or where your business is based), contact them via: WriteToThem - Email your Councillor, MP, MSP, MS, MLA or London Assembly Member for free
- We've also attached three documents below, giving more information.