ACS Concerned Over Brown's Legislation Proposals
14 May 2008
ACS has reacted with concern over proposals outlined in the Draft Legislation Program Gordon Brown announced to Parliament today. The Program foreshadows what will be in the Queen’s Speech in November, and indicates what Bills will be introduced in the next Parliament.
The Business Rates Supplement Bill will give upper tier local authorities the new power to levy a local supplement on the business rate and to retain the proceeds for investment in that area. There will be national upper limit to the levy of 2p per £1 of rateable value and an exemption for all properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Yet again the Government is introducing a new tax burden for local businesses. It is particularly disappointing that through Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) there are already mechanisms to raise funds for local investment, and once again hard-working businesses are being faced with the prospect of paying twice for the services they should expect from their local authority as a matter of course.”
The Prime Minister also mentioned specific measures to improve workplace rights for workers, including expanding current flexible working entitlement and requiring businesses to allow every adult worker to take time off for training.
James Lowman said: “We are concerned at the cost of these measures for small retailers. We support investment in training but the requirement to give time off will, on top of minimum wage increases, flexible working rights and other rising employment costs, put more pressure on our members.”
ACS pledged to continue to represent the views of local shops to Government on these issues.
The Business Rates Supplement Bill will give upper tier local authorities the new power to levy a local supplement on the business rate and to retain the proceeds for investment in that area. There will be national upper limit to the levy of 2p per £1 of rateable value and an exemption for all properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Yet again the Government is introducing a new tax burden for local businesses. It is particularly disappointing that through Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) there are already mechanisms to raise funds for local investment, and once again hard-working businesses are being faced with the prospect of paying twice for the services they should expect from their local authority as a matter of course.”
The Prime Minister also mentioned specific measures to improve workplace rights for workers, including expanding current flexible working entitlement and requiring businesses to allow every adult worker to take time off for training.
James Lowman said: “We are concerned at the cost of these measures for small retailers. We support investment in training but the requirement to give time off will, on top of minimum wage increases, flexible working rights and other rising employment costs, put more pressure on our members.”
ACS pledged to continue to represent the views of local shops to Government on these issues.