Council finance chiefs have reassured businesses they will get a rate relief recently announced by the Government, although it dies not appear in their bills.

Some Welwyn Hatfield traders and shops have received annual bills that exceeded a £50/month increase cap announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in his budget on March 8.

But a council spokeswoman explained: “As we are required to issue bills in good time for the first payment, this year’s bills were sent out based on information we had at the time. The Chancellor’s announcement came after they were produced.

“Like many councils across the country, we’re now waiting for further detail from government before we can reissue bills to businesses that will benefit from the cap.

“We are keen to send these revised bills and will do as soon as we receive this information.”

Chamber of commerce chairman Nick Brown, who campaigned for the cap before its introduction, said: “We look forward to a speedy outcome. This [cap] will make a fundamental difference to the survival of the town centre of Hatfield.”