Relief for local newspapers
The government is providing funding to local authorities so they can provide a discount worth up to £1,500 a year for 2 years from 1 April 2017, to office space occupied by local newspapers.
This is up to a maximum of one discount per local newspaper title and per hereditament, and up to state aid limits. The relief will be delivered through local authority discretionary discount powers (under section 47(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988). Eligibility criteria for this relief is set out in a guidance note: “The case for a business rates relief for local newspapers”.