Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed measures
introduced by this Government to help high streets adapt to changing consumer
spending habits.
As part of
the Conservatives’ long-term economic plan, the Government are cutting taxes
for small businesses to help them create more jobs, as well as introducing a
raft of measures to help local firms with their business rate bills including:
- Small shops, pubs and businesses with a Rateable Value of less than £50,000 will receive £1,000 off their rates bill for the next two years;
- The annual indexation increase in 2014-15 bills is being capped at 2%;
- Businesses will be allowed to pay over 12 instalments instead of 10, helping all businesses with their cash flow;
- To help get empty shops back into use, the Government are introducing a new reoccupation relief that halves rates for 18 months for businesses taking on a long-term empty shop.
- Businesses such as payday lenders and betting shops will not be eligible for this tax relief.
Mr Metcalfe
commented: “Having recently visited a number of local independent retailers for
Small Business Saturday, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the high
street at the moment. I am delighted that the Government are taking assertive
action and know that these measures will make a huge difference to many of the
invaluable small shops and local traders we find in our town centres across the
country.”
Additionally,
the Government have announced that they will be stop over-zealous parking
enforcement and unreasonable parking practices; hold consultations on new
development rights to help get empty and redundant buildings back in use; and
they have called for evidence on cutting red tape in retail.
Stephen
added: “I also want constituents to know about the Future High Streets Forum
which brings together businesses, academics, and
local leaders to look at the challenges facing our town centres and to work
with councils to build on what Government has started. These measures show that
the Government is backing the high street and I look forward to seeing South and
Basildon and East Thurrock reap the rewards of this.”
