To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions her Department has had with the Treasury and Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the implementation of measures to introduce automatic rate relief for small businesses. (271532)

The Department for Communities and Local Government has had a number of discussions with the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Treasury on making small business rate relief automatic.

The Government are keen to explore ways in which we can promote, and improve the administration of, the existing small business rate relief scheme and increase its take up, including through automatic options. CLG officials will work with Treasury officials to see how the take up of the scheme can be improved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to make payment of small business rate relief automatic for eligible businesses; and if she will make a statement. (272624)

The Government are keen to explore ways in which we can promote, and improve the administration of, the existing small business rate relief scheme and increase its take up. CLG officials will work with Treasury officials to see how the take up of the scheme can be improved.