A SCHEME to support small firms faced with rising with rising business rates will continue for a second year.

The rate relief scheme was introduced by Oxford City Council last year after the Goverment's revaluation of business rates left many facing huge increases.

In 2018/19 the city council's scheme will see an eight per cent reduction for qualifying businesses - those with a rateable value of less than £200,000 and facing an increase in business rates of over 12.5 per cent this year.

But rates will still increase but will be limited to a rise of £1,200 or 7.5 per cent inflation, whichever is the greater.

Pubs will continue to get a rate relief of up to £1,000 and the council said 76 had qualified for the discount.

Eligible pubs are those with a rateable value of less than £100,000 that allow free entry and allow drinking without having to buy food.

The council's board member for finance, Ed Turner, said: " These are difficult times for many businesses and the changes to business rateable values last year haven't made things easier.

"So we really want to make sure that local firms get access to the support they are entitled to, and continue to contribute to a thriving local economy."

Last year the Government's Valuation Office Agency scrapped small business and rural rate relief following a revaluation.

For more details and for information on other rate relief schemes go to oxford.gov.uk