SUPERMARKET Asda has said it will continue to pay its business rates bill in full during 2021-22 and will not accept the offer of rates relief announced today by the Chancellor in his spring Budget.

Roger Burnley, Asda chief executive and president, said: “We have always sought to support colleagues, customers and communities during the pandemic and will continue to do so as long as Covid remains a threat.

“There are clearly many industries and businesses that have been hard hit by the pandemic and we hope that by continuing to pay business rates in full this year we can continue to support the nation’s economic recovery from the pandemic.”

It comes as Rishi Sunak said the 100 per cent business rates holiday in England will continue from April until June.

Telling MPs during the Budget today, Mr Sunak said: “For the remaining nine months of the year, business rates will still be discounted by two-thirds, up to a value of £2 million for closed businesses, with a lower cap for those who have been able to stay open.

“A £6 billion tax cut for business.”