The government is currently consulting on the details of its previously announced proposals to provide exemption from empty property rates for new-build commercial property. The move is designed to boost speculative development by removing the burden... Read More
A spate of contradictory High Court rulings regarding business rates liability is causing confusion for local authorities, landlords and tenants according to law firm Pinsent Masons. Is this property empty or occupied? The claim comes following the... Read More
For the first time the true cost of business rates on empty commercial properties has been revealed. A report released this week by the Taxpayers’ Alliance shows that, nationally, the figure for 2011-2012 was a massive £1.1 billion – a rise of 19 per... Read More
Business Secretary Vince Cable is believed to be pressing hard behind the scenes for a shake-up of the business rates system. Following a wave of retailers entering administration since the turn of the year, Mr Cable is urging Chancellor George Osborne to... Read More
And 94 per cent say Business Rates are too high! As the Coalition reaches the halfway-point of its five-year term of office, research among Forum of Private Business (FPB) members shows that more than half of small businesses in the UK disapprove of the... Read More
It is no secret that the changing face of the retail industry together with continuing economic uncertainty has had a massive impact upon both independent and chain stores. A dramatic rise in the popularity of internet shopping and the administrations of... Read More
New commercial properties which are built in Scotland could be eligible for some or all of their business rates cut from April 2013. The move comes after the Scottish Government unveiled the plans to encourage development in Scottish cities. The scheme... Read More
Business Secretary Vince Cable has at last responded to calls from industry representatives to examine the benefits of freezing or lowering business rates on commercial property after learning that bill payers don’t believe they will benefit from the... Read More
In last week’s Autumn Statement the Chancellor George Osborne announced all newly built commercial property completed between October of next year and September 2016 will be exempt from empty property rates for 18 months. It is hoped this move will give... Read More
Charities and commercial property landlords in Wales will suffer if a proposed cut in business rates relief is approved by the Welsh Assembly - A recent review of the rating system suggests cutting relief on charity shops from 80 per cent to 50 per cent and... Read More
