Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) has welcomed signs that the present Government is listening to the association’s campaign for business rates reform. The Conservatives are proposing a 50% reduction in business rates if they are re-elected in the general election on December 12, as well as a review of the system.
Bira has been working with the Government over that past three years to offer a solution to the outdated and unfair rates system. At a debate at the Houses of Parliament, lead by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Bira outlined its proposal to create a cost-neutral solution to rates, creating a £12,000 automatically-applied allowance for small independent businesses.
Andrew Goodacre, ceo of Bira acknowledges that the association’s message is sinking in: “The proposed 50% reduction in business rates is a crucial and significant support for the high street and for small independent retail businesses. The average business rates for small independents are around £24,000 so the proposed reduction of 50% is in line with our own proposal given to the Government.”
He continued: “Whilst we wholeheartedly support the proposal and believe it will make the difference between survival or closure for small retailers, what we really need for long term survival is the fundamental review of rates that has now been announced. It is in line with the findings of the Treasury Select Committee’s report on business rates that said plainly that the business rates system is broken. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure that a new system is effective and is implemented quickly for the benefit of business.”
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has announced that her party would scrap business rates altogether and replace them with a levy on landlords. Speaking to the CBI conference earlier this week, the Lib Dem leader said the policy would help revive the high street, stating: ““The Liberal Democrats are committed to supporting small businesses who are the engine of our economy.”
Top: Helping the high street is among election promises.
