BUSINESS RATES ACROSS THE UK

That this House shares the concerns expressed by the CBI, the British Retail Consortium, the Federation of Small Businesses and others on the Government's lack of action to mitigate the impact of rising business rates in England; notes with concern that the revaluation of businesses in the hospitality sector in England has been based on turnover figures from 2008; recognises and is deeply concerned by reports that half a million businesses in England could face rates increases of up to 300 per cent; calls on the Government to follow the lead of the Scottish Government which has ensured that seven out of 10 business properties in Scotland will pay the same rates or less with half paying no rates at all; further calls on the Government to consider what action it can take for the hospitality sector in England in light of the Scottish Government's action on capping bill increases at 12.5 per cent for hotels, pubs and restaurants in Scotland; asks the Government to ensure that businesses in England will not face fees or restrictions on appealing the revaluation of their rates so that they can benefit from the same free appeals with no restrictions on the ability to appeal; and believes that the Government must recognise the need to deliver further support for businesses in England on mitigating the impact of rates rises so that it can keep pace with Scotland, which is now the best place in the UK to open a small business.