Written Statement: Consultation on non-domestic rates improvement relief in Wales

Today, I am launching a consultation on proposals for a non-domestic rates (NDR) improvement relief.

The Welsh Government is pursuing a range of reforms during the current Senedd term which will make essential and positive changes to NDR in Wales. We recognise that many businesses see the NDR system as a disincentive to investing in property improvements, as an increase in a property’s rateable value may lead to a higher bill.

Our proposals for an improvement relief are intended to help address this potential barrier to investment and growth in the tax-base, by ensuring ratepayers will begin to realise the benefits to their business of their property improvements before they are reflected in their NDR liability. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the Welsh Government proposes to provide the relief from 1 April 2024.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks, and responses are requested by 8 August 2023.  

The consultation is available at: Improvement rates relief