SOLIHULL MP BACKS COMMONS MOTION ON EMPTY PROPERTY RATE RELIEF

4.49.03pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Oct 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has signed a motion on her return to parliament today calling on the government to reintroduce empty property rate relief immediately in response to the world economic downturn and worsening conditions in the property market.

Small business shadow minister, Lorely Burt said:

"I know the tax on empty commercial properties is hurting those in my constituency - local businessmen, pensioners and developers wanting to invest in Solihull.

"In these difficult times we should not make things worse for employers.

"The entire business community has shown their opposition to this tax, with fairly reasoned arguments, backed up by hundreds of cases studies, showing the ill effects of this tax leading to early demolition of buildings, shelved regeneration projects, the loss of inward and overseas investments in the UK economy and the loss of jobs and pensions.

"All 19 urban regeneration companies have spoken out against the tax.

"Government must take urgent steps to ensure that they do not push local businesses struggling to survive over the edge as the banking crisis infects the business sector.