FSB victory on small business rate relief (From Watford Observer)

FSB victory on small business rate relief

8:20am Tuesday 30th November 2010 in Business News

The FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) has welcomed the Government's pledge to help make small business rate relief automatic.

Business rates are the third largest cost to many small firms and many are unaware they are entitled to rate relief, so the FSB and small businesses are delighted that the Government has put steps in place to start to make this automatic.

The FSB has long been campaigning for this move. Every year, millions of pounds, calculated and earmarked by the Treasury for eligible businesses, go unclaimed - even though this money poses no extra cost to the taxpayer.

FSB Beds Cambs & Herts Chairman Ian Cording said, "After rent and wages, rates are the biggest cost to many businesses and steps to help small firms automatically get the relief they are entitled to is welcome news.

"We have long been calling for small business rate relief to be made automatic and this cash injection will be of great help to many small businesses.

"The onus is now on councils to be creative and not needlessly make small businesses go through an application process when it is obvious they are eligible.

" We have developed excellent relations with councils across the country through our small business engagement accord, and we will be urging them to use their new powers to ensure that all small businesses receive the relief that they are entitled to."