MEMBERS INFORMATION
HIGH STREETS SUFFER FROM BUSINESS RATES REVIEW
IT soon became obvious that, as usual, it would be high street shops that would be worse off following the long awaited business rates revaluation last month. Although the small
business and rural business relief schemes will continue there was no extension for the retail relief scheme. Some traders therefore could experience very large increases depending on local circumstances. Te government’s first
response to early criticisms was to say that there are always winners and losers in any review. Tis statement however was greeted by a chorus of disapproval and the media began strongly campaigning in support of high street independent shops. Te press also pointed out other anomalies including
identifying hospitals and GP surgeries as being hard hit whereas Amazon were actually benefitting from big reductions by playing the system and deliberately choosing cheaper areas for their enormous distribution centres. Te government’s main
response came in the budget when Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a number of alleviations. Te principle measure was a discretionary fund of £300 million for hard cases to be administered by local authorities. Whether this amount is sufficient remains to be seen but the Federations main concern is will the fund will be applied consistently and fairly by all 418 UK local authorities and how much gets swallowed up in administration and bureaucracy. Te Treasury will
need to issue firm guidance on this aspect but at the time of writing there is no news. If you want to know your
new rates or find out more about relief schemes and appeals go to the website: www
gov.uk/correct-your- business-rates
Meanwhile an online
petition has been set up as below. Te petition, which runs for several more weeks, calls for a complete re-think on how business rates should be determined in the future and therefore remains very relevant. n
PETITION: BUSINESS RATES INCREASES An online petition has just been launched urging the
impact they have on independent retailers in our high streets. n
government to reconsider the basis of business rates and the Follow this link:
https://petition.parliament.uk/ customers and contacts to do the same.
petitions/175433 n Please sign today n Encourage all staff,
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