Commentary on Sections Part 5: Non-Domestic Rates Section 71: Adjustments for hardship relief
132.Local authorities which collect rates (‘billing authorities’) may grant hardship relief to ratepayers under section 49 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. But if they do so they must meet a prescribed percentage of the cost of granting this rate relief: they have to pay this sum to the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales. The percentage is set in regulations which because of the provisions of Schedule 8 to the Act cannot be amended in respect of a financial year after the preceding 31 December. Section 71 will allow an amendment to the regulations reducing (but not increasing) the percentage of hardship relief to be met by authorities to have effect in respect of a particular year even if made after 31 December of the preceding year.