Commenting on the Government's new £1.5bn business rates relief fund, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the BCC, said:

With the impact of coronavirus increasingly felt away from the sectors which have been most obviously hit by restrictions, we are pleased that the Chancellor has listened to our call for more immediate support for firms throughout supply chains and across the economy.  The discounts to rates bills provided by the new fund is a positive step which can help support the cash flow of some of our hardest-hit businesses, proving much needed headroom to navigate a difficult few months ahead.

“The government must work closely with local authorities to ensure that this support gets to businesses quickly and stand ready to increase the size of the fund to ensure that all those who need it the most get the support they need, as they look to restart and rebuild over the challenging months ahead.