Written question WQ88493
- Asked by
- Laura Anne JonesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
Will the Minister confirm whether the non-domestic rates relief for nursery settings will cease in April 2025?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Services
In September 2018, the Welsh Government’s permanent Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) scheme was enhanced to provide all registered childcare properties with 100% rates relief at an estimated cost of £2.5m a year over three years.
In 2022, the enhancement was further extended by another three years to 2025 in recognition of the difficulties facing the childcare sector as they recover from the pandemic. It is anticipated that the second extension will save registered childcare premises £9.7m over the three years. This is in contrast with the variable business rates relief provided by the UK Government, which was only provided temporarily (following the pandemic) and has now been removed completely.
There has been no decision yet on whether to continue the rate relief for registered childcare premises beyond 2025. Welsh Government will review the impact of the current enhanced relief before the period of extension has concluded and determine the most appropriate next steps.