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FSB calling for automatic rate relief

Sep 11 2008

Town halls should automatically include commercial rate relief in the council tax bills issued to SMEs, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) claims.

According to the group, many firms are unaware of the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme which is intended to help those SMEs in commercial premises by cutting their rate bills.

However, companies are said to be missing out because it is not automatically applied to rate bills by local authorities.

John Wright, the organisation's national chairman, says the move would help firms cope in the 'critical economic climate'.

He adds: 'This could provide a significant boost for small businesses without affecting the government's budget calculations.'

The FSB is also calling on the prime minister to reintroduce rate relief of up to 50 per cent for entrepreneurs with empty commercial premises.

Estimates produced by the Forum of Private Businesses suggest that some £200 million in small business rate relief is unclaimed each year in England alone.

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