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Help for small businesses

27th January 2009

Local MP, Angela Watkinson, said, “A Conservative Private Member’s Bill this year would see business rate relief granted automatically to small businesses.

More than half small businesses miss out on the relief because they don’t know about it. The Federation of Small Businesses is working closely with Peter Luff MP in preparing this Bill to introduce legislation that would ensure that local authorities include the exemption automatically. In 2006, £400 million was left unclaimed. The relief can save up to £2,500 a year and was made automatic in Wales in 2007.

The worsening economic situation is having a devastating effect on small businesses and this measure is a simple way of helping. Rates are their 3rd largest item of expenditure and this saving would make a big difference in keeping many small businesses in Upminster constituency viable through difficult times.”