Local authorities are losing tens of millions of pounds supporting struggling business tenants through the pandemic which could have dire and long-lasting consequences for local services, Sky News has found.

Of the 272 councils who responded to Sky News, 124 - or 46% - confirmed they had lost income as a result of their own business support measures, such as rent holidays or having rent withheld since March.

Between 100 councils, £19.7m had been lost as a result of business measures. Barnsley was the worst affected, having written off £2m by mid-November.

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