Chamber calls for business rates action ahead of the King’s Speech

The North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is calling for the government to include business rates relief as part of this week’s King’s Speech.

Ahead of the State Opening of Parliament, the King will be setting out the government’s planned new laws for the next Parliamentary session and beyond.

While the government is keen to grow the economy and have closer ties with Europe following Brexit, little has been done to lower business rates for Lancashire companies, argues the Chamber of Commerce.

A cut in rates for pubs was announced earlier this year but has not been extended to other sectors.

Many smaller firms are at greater risk and it is feared that Lancashire’s SME community, which makes up the vast majority of businesses, could go out of business if the government fails to act on reducing business rates.

Babs Murphy, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “Business rates are very high on the agenda for the majority of Chamber members and this issue is constantly being discussed with our membership.

“Many members have seen their rates increase and it is an overhead which causes a headache for owners as they are forced to pay their rates before they can make a penny of profit for their business.

“We are urging the government to move forward with their promise to hold a review of the structure of business rates before it is too late for some companies.

“If businesses in Lancashire, and the rest of the UK, are to prosper and realise their growth potential, then the government need to act now on business rates and relieve the anxiety felt by thousands across Lancashire.”