The Government’s Treasury Committee and the British Independent Retail Assoication are hosting an event about business rates and the effect they have on independent retailers and our high streets.
The May 20 event will bring together business associations with businesses of all sizes, sole traders and committee members to discuss retailers’ views and look for solutions for improving the system.
The committee is especially interested in hearing about the impact of rates on different types of businesses and Bira has put forward a number of members to be involved in the inquiry, covering a range of sectors and sizes.
The inquiry will examine how business rates policy has changed, including business rates retention, alternatives to property-based taxes, such as the proposed digital services tax, and how changes to business rates could impact businesses. The information heard at this event will help shape the inquiry.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “This is great news for Bira and it shows that the opinions of our members are being heard and can make a difference. We are delighted to welcome the Treasury Committee to our offices in Birmingham and we are sure that it will be a very productive day, which will get to the heart of the issue.”
The event is a result of many years of lobbying by Bira’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, which resulted in a 30% reduction in business rates for retailers with a rateable value of £51,000 or below in the last Budget. But Bira’s fight continues to make rates fairer and to ensure there is a level playing field for bricks and mortar retailers.
