BURT WELCOMES COMMITMENT TO SUSPEND EMPTY BUSINESS TAX RATE

11.58.13am GMT Tue 25th Nov 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt today welcomed the decision of the Chancellor to defer empty business rates for a year, but said the measure should have been introduced in January along with other measures to help hard pressed businesses.

The Liberal Democrat shadow minister for small business campaigned for the measure to help firms survive the recession, making the case to the Deputy Prime Minister on the floor of the House of Commons only last month.

Commenting after the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Statement, Lorely said:

"At a time when many businesses are struggling to survive, payment of empty business rates on unused commercial properties continues to confront many owners with the stark choice of either demolishing perfectly good buildings or folding their business.

"I welcome the Chancellor's announcement, but regret that failure to implement the measure until next April will push more local businesses over the edge as they struggle to survive the economic downturn."