NHS trusts launch legal challenge against councils over business rates

NHS hospital trusts in England have launched a legal challenge for business rates relief that could save them millions of pounds a year if it succeeds.

The group of 20 trusts has begun legal proceedings against 49 local authorities, arguing that they should be entitled to claim an 80% reduction in their business rates, as many private hospitals do. The trusts argue that they should be entitled to charitable rate relief, which is available to bodies with charitable purposes, such as the delivery of healthcare or education, and not just to …