Broadcast Interview - Devolved Welsh Business Rates diverging from England

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26 March 2019
  • Andrew West podcast on business rates with Business News Wales

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Business News Wales interviewed Business Rates Director Andrew West about the emerging differences between business rates in England and Wales.

Andrew 'demystifies' the complicated business tax, explains the appeals system and how it could be improved, and the adverse effect of the so-called 'Staircase Tax' on businesses occupying multiple floors in office blocks.

The podcast is 13 minutes long, with the different topics covered at approximately the following minutes within the broadcast timeline:

  • 1:00 Summary explanation of business rates and revaluations; link between property values and the economy
  • 2:00 Differences between Welsh and English business rates; understanding rating bills
  • 4:15 Appeals processes and issues; English 'Check Challenge Appeal' system and software problems along with ensuing drop in appeals
  • 8:00 Welsh system - how it could be improved; why it is difficult for businesses to interpret and to take up reliefs
  • 9:20 Staircase Tax - Supreme Court decision on businesses occupying multiple floors in office blocks; adverse effect of backdated tax; English reversal decision
  • 11:50 Welsh Government consultation on Staircase Tax - why Wales should follow England's lead; effect on competition.

Listen to the podcast.

I have worked with Jeremy Symons over the past three years successfully leasing and buying property in support of my business. I continue to be very pleased with his knowledge of the market and expertise. Our relationship over this time has resulted in acquiring 20,000 sq ft at Capital Business Park in Cardiff, leasing 11,000 sq ft at Southpoint, and subsequently leasing an initial 42,000 sq ft at Parc Bedwas, followed by a succession of expansions of a further 11,000 and then 47,000 sq ft, enabling us to centralise all of our operations at Parc Bedwas in a single 100,000 sq ft facility. The acquisitions were completed at the perfect time for tenant purposes and the rent fixed throughout the term at very economical rates. A job well done.

Bob James, Aerfin