Enfield hit hardest by business rate rises

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Enfield has been hit hard by business rate increases, one MP has said.

By Ashley Brunskill

A business rate petition signed by more than 1,600 companies in Enfield, Ponders End, Southgate and Edmonton has been given to Parliament.

It was set to be taken there by Southgate MP David Burrowes under his Save Our Shops campaign, the Enfield Independent reported.

According to the MP, the borough of Enfield houses over 100 firms which have had their business rates increased by more than 50 per cent.

"The issue of business rates is a concern of future governments as well. It's a massive issue, I don't know any other part of the country that has been so badly hit," Mr Burrowes told the newspaper.

He said he would try to get the attention of the speaker today (March 24th) during the budget debate to bring up the issue of business rate increases on smaller firms.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling revealed the pre-election Budget today, with companies reliant on haulage asking him to delay or reduce the fuel duty that will be in place from April 1st.

Source: ask-re The Property People LLP