State aid for business rates

State aid rules regulate public sector intervention, with the aim of ensuring fair competition and the proper functioning of the single market.

Giving unregulated financial support to some businesses would risk distorting competition within the European common market, and hinder the long-term competitiveness of the European Union.

This means that a business can only receive government support up to a maximum level. Because of this, we have to ask any business that applies for relief detailed questions about any financial support that they may already have received. The organisation must also complete a signed state aid declaration to confirm the level of any support received, available in the download section of this page.

You can find out the State Aid 'de minimis' levels and what the rules for businesses are by downloading our guide below. You can also find more state aid guidance on Gov.uk.