All councils located in Scotland and Wales were found to display the correct information relating to small business rates relief, unlike their English counterparts.

Last month, Better Retailing uncovered 22 out of 333 councils in England listed outdated dates and figures for current rates relief.

Since being alerted to this, only half have updated their guidance. At the time, Bankier Sloan chartered surveyor Ian Sloan said store owners using the wrong information could be missing out on thousands of pounds of rates relief.

Despite councils in Scotland and Wales being accurate, three of the 11 councils in Northern Ireland had no information available at all regarding rates. These included Ards & North Down Borough; Causeway Coast & Glens Borough; and Newry, Mourne and Down District.

Scottish shops get worse business rates deal than similar stores in England

Rates relief differs across the countries making up the UK. In Scotland, businesses with a rateable value (RV) of up to £15,000 receive 100% relief, with 25% relief given to properties with a RV of £18,000 or less.

Whereas in Wales, eligible businesses with a RV of up to £6,000 receive 100% rates relief, while those with a RV of between £6,001 and £12,000 receive it on a tapered basis from 100% to 0%.

Eligibility in Northern Ireland is based on net annual value (NAV). To receive a 50% reduction, the property must have a NAV of £2,000 or less, with the relief decreasing as the NAV increases.

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