Following the launch of The Grimsey Review (An Alternative Future for the High Street) at a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster we are looking to build on the very strong feedback we have received on business rates. It is clear that businesses feel this tax is out of touch with property values and that is why we are seeking to get business rates debated in parliament before the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
This is a very ambitious target but extremely urgent if we are to buy time for some 20,000 small retailers who are on the brink of failure. Although the crippling rates cost is not the only cause of failure some would argue it is the main reason today. Most agree that there is a need for a root and branch review of the business rates tax – but in reality that will take time.
The most important thing is to force a debate in Westminster and this can be achieved if we can get one hundred thousand signatures on a petition that we have registered with Downing Street. Once we achieve that we will gain the support of backbench MPs from all parties who are under pressure from the businesses in their constituencies.
We need people up and down the country to stand up for small businesses and force change that will help create a level playing field. The only real winners from the delay of the revaluation from 2015 to 2017 are the big retailers. They would pay more earlier and small businesses particularly in the north of the country would pay less. Why should small businesses continue to be disadvantaged for two more years it is unacceptable. You can make a difference by signing our petition today.
This can be done by logging on to the following link:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/54748
The petition reflects some of the recommendations from The Grimsey review and has been registered by Paul Turner-Mitchell from our team. It reads as follows:
Reform of Business Rates
Responsible department: Department for Communities and Local Government
The British high street is a world renowned institution. We can’t just sit back and watch it wither away. This means ministers have to make business rates a fairer tax that doesn’t disproportionately burden smaller businesses and retail. Property values must be realigned and the business rates system needs reforming. At the moment it’s not fit for purpose.
The Grimsey Review are, therefore, calling on the government to:-
1) Reintroduce immediately the 2015 business rates
revaluation to realign property values and freeze
business rates from 2014.
2)Once revaluations have taken place any future
increases should be an annualised CPI rate rather
than a one-month snapshot.
3)From 2017 revaluations must be conducted annually.
4)Undertake a root and branch review to establish a flexible system that will reflect changes in economic conditions as they occur.
Don’t waste time sign up today and make difference.
Thanks Bill Grimsey
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