HENDRY SEEKS INFORMATION ON BUSINESS RATES
30th March, 2009
Wealden MP Charles Hendry is asking local businesses to provide information on how they have been affected by this year’s increases in Business Rates.
The request for information comes following evidence of huge rises in business rates this year, partially as a result of the ending of the Government’s ‘Transitional Relief Scheme’.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday (25 March) Charles Hendry asked the Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, John Healey, to look into the case of the Anchor Inn in Hartfield. Although the rateable value of the pub has gone down this year, the rates payable have gone up from £10,622 to £16,967, an increase of around 60 per cent. The Minister has agreed to Charles Hendry’s request for a meeting to discuss the impact of the increases on Wealden businesses.
Charles Hendry comments: “During these terribly difficult times it is unbelievable that local businesses are facing massive increases on the amount they have to pay in Business Rates. The Anchor Inn is being charged £600 more a month than last year. To find £600 during the best of times is not easy and businesses which are already struggling will be hit very hard by this increase.
“These increases will literally make the difference for some businesses between surviving and closure. Before meeting the Minister, I am keen to get as much information as possible from businesses across Wealden on how they are being affected by the change in business rates this year.
“In this way, I can make the strongest case to the Minister for action to help businesses faced with these massive and punitive increases.
“I hope as many businesses as possible will send information to me, so we can put pressure on the government to reduce this intolerable pressure on businesses at this very difficult time.”
Information should be sent to Charles Hendry at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or by email to hendryc@parliament.uk
Please find a hyperlink to the debate in the House of Commons below.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25a.387.2#g387.5If