Thousands of small businesses still waiting for rate relief three months after Government budget promise
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Version 0 of 2. Thousands of small businesses hit by punishing rate hikes are still waiting almost three months after the Government pledged to provide financial support. Businesses across the country saw the rates they pay to the Government go up after properties were revalued last year for the first time in seven years. Business rates are a tax based on the rental value of a property. In March’s budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled a series of measures to cushion the blow after some businesses complained that they faced rates going up by many multiples. Mr Hammond promised that those who lost small business rate relief, which applies to firms with property worth less than a certain threshold, would not be handed rate rises of more than £50 per month. However, several small businesses have told the BBC they have received no help. Jane Antoniades, who runs a florist in Whitstable said she faced a rates increase of more than three times during a five year period. She has yet to receive any relief on her current bill, almost three months after Mr Hammond’s announcement. “So far I've had to pay £437.08 per month, instead of just over £200. It's a huge difference,” she told the BBC. ”We haven't got the capacity to pay this extra money. It's going to have a real impact on our business if we can't claw this money back soon and start paying the right amount,“ Ms Antoniades said. The Government had said that there would be a delay in processing the rate relief because of the snap general election. But last month, communities secretary Sajid Javid announced a u-turn on that decision. The current delay is understood to be partly due to the fact that new bills had already been printed before the u-turn was announced. A spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "We have published guidance on the additional relief available to support small businesses and have encouraged local authorities to inform businesses that are eligible as soon as possible." |