Industry bodies and key figures have called on George Osborne to carry out “meaningful reform of business rates” ahead of this month’s spending review.
Among those calling on the chancellor to make good his
George Osborne is under pressure from the convenience industry to remove small businesses from the business rates system when he delivers the Autumn statement on November 25
It argues that as most retailers will lack the experience necessary to appeal effectively, leaving any successful appeal cancelled out by the cost of seeking help.
Responding to Osborne’s decision to devolve business rates responsibilities to local councils, Labour MP Simon Danczuk called for a slightly different approach. He said: “The power to cut business rates is a good start. But I would argue that councils need the power to set varying rates within their area and take smaller businesses out of rates altogether.”
Business rates expert, Paul Turner-Mitchell has also warned that if the business rates relief scheme, which has been in place since 2005, is not extended to 2017, the average small shop in England could see an increase of more than £1,500 to their annual bill.
Comments
This article doesn't have any comments yet, be the first!