Major reform of business rates system kicked into long grass again

14 October 2021

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A major reform of the Business Rates system appears to have been kicked down the road yet again, as reported in The Telegraph today (14th October, 2021).

“Government plans for a major overhaul of the controversial levy have been ‘thrown into the long grass’ and only smaller scale tweaks will be unveiled by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, later this month, The Telegraph has learned.”

This is another big disappointment for businesses after the original promise by the UK Government to respond to the detailed and constructive input of business and professional bodies to the fundamental review by Autumn 2020. The review process began in March 2020.

The RICS, IRRV and Rating Surveyors Association engaged positively in the consultation process and made constructive and realistic suggestions for change that would be to the benefit of all business rate stakeholders.

After two previous postponements, this is now to be delayed yet again to an unspecified future date. This news is extremely disheartening and makes one question the commitment to real reform.

The accumulated problems with the current system will not go away and we would hope the government will now prioritise a substantive response by the end of the year.

The Leekes Retail and Leisure Group have substantial property assets within the group and have engaged Andrew West to appeal against rating assessments on these properties since 2010. We have consistently been impressed by Andrew's knowledge of the property market and his negotiating skills have been exceptional. Given Andrew's outstanding performance, we would not hesitate to recommend Andrew to any business large or small seeking to appeal their rates liabilities.

Mike Fowler, Group Finance Director, Leekes Group