As news of the rates revaluation spread, businesses around the UK began to voice concerns. BID Leamington received the following letter from our local MP Chris White.
Dear Stephanie,
As I am sure you are aware, proposals regarding business rates have been under close scrutiny in recent days.
I am writing to seek your views, and your member businesses, not least so I may better represent any concerns you may have.
The Government is raising the threshold for 100% business rate relief to £12,000, with a tapered rate to £15,000. I am fully supportive of this measure as I recognise the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises and in particular, the independent sector, to Warwick and Leamington. However, I am keen to understand any issues that may arise from the revaluation process.
I am closely monitoring the Government’s approach to business rates and am happy to raise any concerns that you may have with the relevant Ministers. I would therefore be grateful if you could share this letter with your members and I would encourage them to write to me with their views. I can be contacted at chris.white.mp@parliament.uk.
Finally, I would like to reaffirm my commitment to doing all I can to support local businesses in our area. You are the reason that Warwick and Leamington has seen a 74% fall in unemployment since 2010 and I am always keen to work to strengthen our local economy further.
Yours sincerely,
Chris White MP
Member of Parliament for Warwick & Leamington
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 7201
After consulting a number of businesses we responded and our response can be seen in our blog. Please do not hesitate to contact us or Chris White MP directly with any further concerns.