A group of trade bodies including the British Property Federation have outlined concerns that the recent reshuffle in Westminster is hampering business rates reform.
In a letter to the Treasury select committee, 10 trade bodies have urged the MPs behind an inquiry into business rates to publish their findings ahead of the autumn budget.
The inquiry had begun in February. However, four of the original 12 committee members have left in the past month as a result of ministerial changes. Its chair, Nicky Morgan, has joined the cabinet as culture secretary.
“We note that following the election of the new prime minster, several members of the committee have moved on to roles in government, and that you will soon elect a new chair as well as gain new members who will determine how to proceed with all current inquiries,” the letter reads.
“We believe that it could not be a more important time for the committee to publish its views on the operation of the business rates system. The committee’s recommendations carry great weight with ministers and officials, and it is vital that, notwithstanding the debate over Brexit, crucial domestic policy issues are not obscured.
“The prompt publication of a report would mean that it could be taken into consideration as part of the government’s autumn budget considerations – we ask that the committee gives serious consideration to finalising and publishing the report into the impact of business rates as a matter of urgency.”
The letter highlighted that business rates form a major barrier to growth and investment for retailers, hospitality businesses, property investors, manufacturers, and increasingly local councils, as direct and indirect investors in commercial property.
The letter was signed by:
- Helen Dickinson, chief executive, British Retail Consortium
- Adam Marshall, director general, British Chambers of Commerce
- Rain Newton-Smith, chief economist, Confederation of British Industry
- Melanie Leech, British Property Federation
- Edward Cooke, chief executive, Revo
- James Lowman, chief executive, Association of Convenience Stores
- Andrew Goodacre, chief executive, British Independent Retailers Association (Bira)
- Mike Cherry OBE, Federation of Small Business
- Kate Nicholls, chief executive, UKHospitality
- Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association
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