Giving evidence to the Treasury Select Committee for its inquiry on business rates yesterday, the Alliance’s chief executive Neil Leitch told the panel that for childcare settings who do not ‘enjoy’ any rate relief through the ‘existing, complex system, rates often represent the second most important cost and can mean the difference between investing or closing down.’
He suggested England follow the example of Scotland and Wales where nurseries benefit from 100 per cent relief on business rates.
When asked why local authorities are not offering business rates relief to childcare settings by the Committee, which is chaired by former education secretary Nicky Morgan, he said that he thought there was a conflict of interest as local authorities are facing cuts, but expected to “just do the right thing”.
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