Following the launch of The Grimsey Review (An Alternative
Future for the High Street) a petition has been started to force Government to look into Business Rates immediately.
It is clear that businesses feel this tax is out of touch with property
values and that is why your support is required 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 your help to encourage businesses in the borough to sign the petition.
This can be done by logging on to the following link: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 your help to encourage businesses in the borough to sign the petition.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/54748
You will also be aware from both regional and national press about the adverse effects the postponement of the revaluations will have upon Rochdale citing that shop rentals have fallen by approximately 40% in the last 5 years and this now needs to be reflected in rateable values.
The petition reflects some of the recommendations from The
Grimsey review and has been registered by me. 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.
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.
We all need to work together, stand up for fairness and get the 2015
revaluation reinstated.
Paul Turner Mitchell
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