Environment Minister Michael Meacher has announced to Parliament, changes to the rating system designed to ease the burden on businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, reports Chesterton's Richard Eames. The Government is to consider increasing the level of funding provided to local authorities to provide rate relief from 75 per cent to 95 per cent. This will assist local authorities in providing discretionary relief to businesses affected by foot and mouth restrictions. Local authorities can grant discretionary relief of the remaining 50 per cent but have to meet 25 per cent of this cost from their own budgets.
Further details are to be announced shortly.
There will be a three month extension to the deadline for the submission of business rates appeals within 118 named local authorities. The deadline is currently 31st March 2001. Confirmation is awaited as to whether the extension will apply to all appeals or simply those relating to the foot and mouth outbreak. Whilst any move to ease the plight of businesses affected by the current crisis is to be welcomed, these changes may only impact on a limited number of small businesses and urgent action is being demanded to provide more general assistance.