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Press Release

BRC COMMENT ON SIR MICHAEL LYONS' LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERIM REPORT

15 December 2005

BRC Director General, Kevin Hawkins, says:

“We remain concerned that this Inquiry does not consider the substantial investment retail already makes to the local community, and due consideration should be given to alternative sources of investment such as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Retail contribution to Central and Local Government finances is substantial as is compliance with costly regulatory requirements such as the national minimum wage.

“Currently the retail sector provides £4.5 billion in revenue to the Treasury through business rates and further increases, through a plethora of local charges, would not be acceptable to the retail industry. Retail liability through the rates system has already risen by over £500million since the recent revaluation.

“While the current business rate system is not perfect, it offers valuable stability and predictability that is vital to sustainable business investment.”



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British Retail Consortium

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