BURT IN COMMONS CALL FOR EMPTY PROPERTY RATE RELIEF

3.42.18pm GMT Tue 4th Nov 2008

Liberal Democrat shadow minister for small business, Lorely Burt took her argument for empty rate relief on commercial properties to the floor of the House of Commons last week.

In questions to the Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Harman, the Solihull MP said that in parts of Birmingham, commercial property was being offered for as little as 50p per square foot.

"Other commercial properties are being needlessly demolished because their owners cannot afford to pay the empty property business rate as a result of the economic downturn." said Mrs Burt.

"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 the unnecessary 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.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the government recognised these concerns which were being considered by ministers.