Call for 100% rate relief for rural firms

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling on the Chancellor to take action in the Budget that will help protect the livelihood of rural firms.

A top-up of the non-domestic rates pool would allow local authorities to give 100% rate relief to small businesses in towns and villages across England, said the FSB, claiming that such a move would be 'a lifeline that could save the heart of many of the country's rural communities'.

The proposed 'rural recession rate relief scheme' would run for a fixed period of 12 months, after which the Government would review the measure to assess if it needed to be extended.
 
'Small firms are crucial for the survival of village communities,' said the FSB, 'and the death of one small firm can have a devastating impact on the local area'.
 
In a recent FSB survey of more than 300 members based in rural communities, around one third said the next six months will be difficult for their business. Over 80% said they are already suffering with rising costs, and a little under half have seen trade decrease.

FSB rural affairs chairman Linda Walton said: ‘The Government must take action to keep the heart of the village community alive. The rural recession rate relief scheme we are putting forward could be the difference between the death of small rural communities and their survival’.

Categories: News , Budget 2009 , FSB , Business , Income Tax