The government must urgently roll out rate-relief fund for SMEs

Firms crippled by business rate hikes are still waiting for help from the £300m hardship fund promised in the budget. The FSB is calling on the government to direct councils to activate the fund Business rates have existed in one form or another since 1572. Over the intervening 445 years, the evolution of business has seen practices move from living above the shop, to office work, homeworking, the gig economy and online trading. Related: Minister makes U-turn over £300m business rate