More supermarkets return covid relief rates

(Reuters) Six major retailers have agreed to repay more than £1.8bn in business rates relief, a policy introduced for all retailers in March.

Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, B&M, Morrison’s and Aldi have announced they would be repaying their emergency tax payer support, received to counteract the economic effects of the pandemic.

While other retailers and hospitality firms have struggled with lockdown closures and other restrictions, supermarkets have seen a boom in sales this past year, albeit with higher costs linked to in store hygiene practices.