Prime Minister urged to create rate relief measures

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged the Prime Minister to introduce new measures with regards to rate relief for small businesses.

The FSB delivered a letter to No. 10 Downing Street last week, which called for two measures to be introduced as part of the governments economic revival package.

The letter outlined the fact that many small businesses are missing out on rate relief, because they are unaware of the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme (SBRRS).

The FSB urged that the relief, which reduces rates for businesses in commercial premises, be automatically applied to all rate bills handed out by town halls.

The letter also called on the Prime Minister to reintroduce an element of rate relief of up to 50 per cent for entrepreneurs with empty commercial premises.

FSB National Chairman, John Wright, said: “We have written to the Prime Minister about two measures that we firmly believe would help small businesses to meet today’s critical economic climate.

“Business rate relief is money which small businesses are entitled to claim and presumably provision is made within the Government’s financial calculations for such claims to be made so this could provide a significant boost for small businesses without affecting the Government’s budget calculations.

“Additionally, with the dramatic downturn in the commercial property market owners are finding having to pay rates on empty properties a hardship. A modest relief of up to 50% on the rate bill for empty properties would be very helpful.

“These two changes will give a much needed boost to the economy and help businesses get back on track.”

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