This week I launched the Conservative's on-line tool for small businesses. The national press this week appear to confirm our fears that 2009 could be retailers toughest year for 30 years.
Following a survey of councils in England and Wales the Conservative Party discovered that up to half of small businesses are not claiming the Small Business Rate Relief they are entitled to. As a direct result of this survey the Conservatives have created a simple, online tool to help. By visiting www.conservatives.com/smallshops business leaders can find out what they are entitled to and how to claim the rate relief.
"It' no secret that rising business rates are hurting small shops - and yet many shops don’t claim the rate relief they're entitled to because they don’t know about it or because it's too complicated. Rate relief could save shops up to £1,100 a year - so it's vital we help owners claim the full amount they're owed”.
"Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) came into effect on 1st April 2005. Properties with a rateable value of less than £5,000 will receive up to 50% rate relief on their liability. Above £5,000 relief is available, but by 1% for every £100, below a maximum rate of £10,000 rateable value. Almost 84% of employed people in Cornwall work in small businesses, which mean not only the survival of our local shops but also local jobs".
Penwith or Kerrier District council will calculate the exact reduction, but the relief is not automatic and must be applied for.
It's vital that our small businesses are aware of their entitlement so I am visiting and writing to small shops in West Cornwall urging local business people to take up this relief. Regulation, tax and competition from out of town shopping centres are crippling our local shops. 2,000 small shops close each year in the UK and I am determined to arrest this decline in West Cornwall. My Party has already come up with several positive proposals which include: reducing corporation tax from 22p to 20p, a Conservative Government will defer VAT for six months and we will cut payroll taxes for businesses paying less than five employees, which would save a business employing less than five, at least £100 a month. I also support the introduction of a simpler tax system.”
For information on the national Conservative Campaign to save small shops please see:
www.conservatives.com/smallshops
