Amateur clubs win fight for rate relief

Thousands of amateur sports clubs in Britain were yesterday granted exemption from paying local authority rates at a time when many feared they would go bankrupt.

After months of campaigning by sports bodies, the government agreed that amateur sports clubs will receive mandatory rate relief of up to 80%, which could be increased to 100% at local discretion.

The sports minister Richard Caborn and the culture secretary Tessa Jowell had also been arguing for such relief with the treasury and the deputy prime minister's office, which is responsible for rates issues.

Under existing legislation, amateur sports clubs are entitled to rate relief if they register with the Charity Commission. However, many failed to do this because of excessive bureaucracy and the costs involved. The new arrangement will be much simpler.

Caborn said yesterday: "We have listened to sport and delivered a major reform which will help thousands of clubs up and down the country.

"It follows the introduction of tax benefits for community and amateur sports clubs, £60m for club facilities and the extra £100m for grassroots sport announced by Tessa Jowell in July. I want governing bodies to use this chance to make a real difference in the numbers of people playing sport."

Roger Draper, chief executive of Sport England, said: "This is fantastic news for sports clubs and sport in general. Mandatory rate relief will be a huge step forward in ensuring not only the survival but also the development of sports clubs across the country."