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| Zero rates for small post offices | Zero rates for small post offices |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Smaller post offices will be excused from paying business rates, the Welsh assembly government has announced. | Smaller post offices will be excused from paying business rates, the Welsh assembly government has announced. |
| Altogether almost half of all businesses in Wales will benefit from a sharp drop in rates from next year. | Altogether almost half of all businesses in Wales will benefit from a sharp drop in rates from next year. |
| A scheme set up to help rural businesses during the foot-and-mouth outbreak is to be extended to the rest of Wales from 1 April 2007. | A scheme set up to help rural businesses during the foot-and-mouth outbreak is to be extended to the rest of Wales from 1 April 2007. |
| The changes will mean that almost 30,000 small businesses will see a 25% to 50% cut in their rates. | The changes will mean that almost 30,000 small businesses will see a 25% to 50% cut in their rates. |
| The assembly government has proposed to replace the rural rate relief scheme - that operates in the predominantly rural areas of Wales - with a small business scheme that applies to the whole of Wales. | The assembly government has proposed to replace the rural rate relief scheme - that operates in the predominantly rural areas of Wales - with a small business scheme that applies to the whole of Wales. |
| It will give businesses with a rateable value under £2,000 a 50% reduction in their rates. | It will give businesses with a rateable value under £2,000 a 50% reduction in their rates. |
| Poorest parts | Poorest parts |
| Finance Minister Sue Essex said the assembly government recognised that small businesses made an "essential contribution" to communities across Wales. | Finance Minister Sue Essex said the assembly government recognised that small businesses made an "essential contribution" to communities across Wales. |
| The minister said it would particularly help the poorest parts of the country. | The minister said it would particularly help the poorest parts of the country. |
| BUSINESS RATES SUMMARY Businesses in Wales with a rateable value of under £2,000 will receive an automatic 50% off their ratesBusinesses with a rateable value between £2,000-£4,999 will receive a 25% discountPost offices with a rateable value of less than £9,000 will be exempt from paying business ratesPost offices with a rateable value between £9,000-£11,999k will receive 50% relief.It will replace the temporary rural rate relief schemeIt will be automatically applied to rates bills without businesses needing to apply.Source: Welsh Assembly Government | BUSINESS RATES SUMMARY Businesses in Wales with a rateable value of under £2,000 will receive an automatic 50% off their ratesBusinesses with a rateable value between £2,000-£4,999 will receive a 25% discountPost offices with a rateable value of less than £9,000 will be exempt from paying business ratesPost offices with a rateable value between £9,000-£11,999k will receive 50% relief.It will replace the temporary rural rate relief schemeIt will be automatically applied to rates bills without businesses needing to apply.Source: Welsh Assembly Government |
| "The new scheme is much fairer than the current rural arte relief system. It treats all small businesses in Wales equally whatever their location and will be much easier to understand and administer," she added. | "The new scheme is much fairer than the current rural arte relief system. It treats all small businesses in Wales equally whatever their location and will be much easier to understand and administer," she added. |
| 'Step forward' | 'Step forward' |
| "The new scheme will be entirely funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and will not require a contribution from local authorities, which is good news for council tax payers." | "The new scheme will be entirely funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and will not require a contribution from local authorities, which is good news for council tax payers." |
| The Federation of Small Businesses in Wales (FSB) welcomed the announcement as a "step forward" but would have preferred a system applying in England. | The Federation of Small Businesses in Wales (FSB) welcomed the announcement as a "step forward" but would have preferred a system applying in England. |
| Spokesman Russell Lawson said: "The system in England has applied to all small businesses and it's easy to understand." | Spokesman Russell Lawson said: "The system in England has applied to all small businesses and it's easy to understand." |
| He added: "At least they're paying attention to the lower end of the spectrum-high rates have had a disproportionate impact on smaller firms, who can end up paying the same rates as much bigger more profitable companies." | He added: "At least they're paying attention to the lower end of the spectrum-high rates have had a disproportionate impact on smaller firms, who can end up paying the same rates as much bigger more profitable companies." |
| The current rural rate relief scheme - set up in the wake of foot-and-mouth - was due to come to an end in 2004, but was extended during this period of consultation. | The current rural rate relief scheme - set up in the wake of foot-and-mouth - was due to come to an end in 2004, but was extended during this period of consultation. |
| Ministers says small businesses will receive more than they did before the temporary scheme. | Ministers says small businesses will receive more than they did before the temporary scheme. |