18 Jun 2021The government is to extend the ban on commercial evictions introduced during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until March 2022, the Treasury has confirmed. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, said the moratorium for business tenants will not expire at the end of this month as planned and will instead continue until 25 March 2022 – two years after it was introduced. Restrictions on landlords using laws permitting them to recover rent arrears by selling a tenant's goods will also continue. Matthew Fell, Chief UK Policy Director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: 'An extension to the commercial rents moratorium will give much-needed breathing space to firms in the hardest-hit sectors. For many, this could make the difference in keeping businesses afloat and people in jobs. 'Treating debts accrued through COVID-enforced closures differently makes sense, and the CBI welcomes guidance for occupiers and landlords to deal fairly with these arrears. The promise of arbitration to settle disputes should encourage grown-up conversations in the months ahead.'