The business rates holiday was a vital emergency measure designed to help struggling companies survive the pandemic. However, this blanket policy also delivered a multi-billion-pound windfall to businesses that saw their profits hold steady, or minor decline or even increase.

Some major supermarkets recognised this disparity and voluntarily returned the relief, setting a powerful example of corporate responsibility. It’s time to build on that principle.

A system should be established to recoup these funds from companies that did not experience a significant financial downturn during the relief period.

This isn't a penalty; it's a matter of fairness. The rules were done in a rush and no effort was made to refine them to target only those in genuine need.

Taxpayer support should be directed where it's truly needed. So now we have benefit of hindsight, we should use that to ensure fairness.

Reclaiming these funds would provide a significant, one-off boost to public finances, helping to pay down the enormous debt accrued during the crisis.