Wed, 02 Aug 2017 | BUSINESS NEWS
The UK government has stood by claims that it will speed up business rate relief for thousands of the country’s smaller firms, following huge hikes in the last tax year.
Though a new tax regime laid out in April saw bills for most UK businesses stay the same or decrease, the government came under pressure to act after many smaller firms faced rate rises of up to 3,000 per cent.
The hikes came as nearly 25,000 of so-called “cliff-edge” cases lost their small business rate relief, a discount given to properties below a certain rateable value.
Chancellor Philip Hammond promised at the time that bills at affected firms would not go up by more than £50 a month, setting aside £25 million of public money to find it. He also announced the creation of a £300 million discretionary hardship fund and a separate relief scheme for pubs.
These measures have been delayed, however, after councils say they were not prepared to send out new bills to affected businesses due to a lack of guidance and insufficient billing software.
Government spokespeople have also cited the general election and ongoing Brexit negotiations as sources of delay.
Local Government Minister Marcus Jones has called Capita, Civica and Northgate Public Services - firms responsible for providing councils with updated software to help them issue new bills to businesses – into Whitehall for talks.
A deadline of 21 August has now been agreed for the implementation of the new software and reduced rates. Jones has also written to local authorities asking them to update software and re-bill the businesses in question as soon as possible.
The Federation of Small Businesses has described the delays as "shambolic". Writing in July, the lobbying group called for communities secretary Sajid Javid and the government to “get a grip on the situation”.
Subscribe to Business Sale Report
This business provides a full range of consultancy services to the construction and utility sectors. Civil Engineering & Environmental Consultancy in the Water Industry.
LEASEHOLD
Provides a diverse range of sanitation products, including handwashing and sanitisation stations, alongside rotational moulding services and portable toilet and welfare facility hire.
LEASEHOLD
Traditional home care agency which has been trading successfully since 2010 when it was established by our client.
LEASEHOLD
09
|
Apr
|
Topshop flagship store up for sale | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Topshop's flagship Oxford Street store in London is dra...
09
|
Apr
|
Gestamp’s former Washington warehouse hits the market in £6.5m auction | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
The former Washington base of international car parts manufa...
08
|
Apr
|
Decorating contractor targets acquisitions after MBO | MBO/MBI
Scottish commercial decorating contractor Bell Group has com...
Sign up to receive our acquisition alert emails to get your FREE guide
09
|
Apr
|
Gestamp’s former Washington warehouse hits the market in £6.5m auction | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
The former Washington base of international car parts manufa...
09
|
Apr
|
Topshop flagship store up for sale | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Topshop's flagship Oxford Street store in London is dra...
08
|
Apr
|
Decorating contractor targets acquisitions after MBO | MBO/MBI
Scottish commercial decorating contractor Bell Group has com...
Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources