Sarah Carr calls for extension of Empty Rate Relief
8.36.27pm GMT Thu 12th Nov 2009
Local campaigner Sarah Carr, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire, is calling on the Government to retain a temporary rate relief on empty commercial properties, in an effort to aid the recovery of the County's economy.
The Chancellor, Alistair Darling MP, announced a temporary one year increase in the threshold exempting empty commercial properties from £2,200 up to £15,000 rentable value as a response to the credit crunch. Now nearly one year on, Sarah wants to keep the rate relief to stimulate the local economy.
Commenting, Sarah said:
"Empty property rates tax individuals and companies on assets that generate no income whatsoever. With so many empty business premises available in Hereford and similarly in other towns across the UK the Government must not make things even worse for businesses.
"It's vital that local entrepreneurs can set up businesses on flexible terms in a professional environment, yet landlords are in danger of being taxed for providing this service. The ill effects of this tax can lead to early demolition of buildings, shelved regeneration projects and the loss of jobs and pensions.
"The entire business community has shown their opposition to this tax, with fairly reasoned arguments, backed up by hundreds of cases studies. I hope the Chancellor with give our local businesses support in what are still difficult times".
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