You Want Us To Do What?
Okay, the economy is in meltdown, businesses going bust, workforces are being laid off and what happens, I know the Government are going to introduce another tax.
A small business group has urged that firms be given a say on how the money raised through proposed changes to business rates will be spent.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said that it is worried that the upcoming Business Rate Supplements Bill, which is currently being considered by a Public Bills Committee, could mean an increased tax liability for many firms.
The Bill would give local authorities the power to levy extra rates in order to pay for community development projects. The FSB has, therefore, called for a series of amendments that will dampen the impact of the Bill when it comes into force. Specifically, the organisation wants small firms to have a vote on the projects that would be subsidised by the extra tax revenue, with the consultation to be followed by an independent review of the expenditure.
Other recommendations include guarantees that the supplement will only be spent on economic development; that the public sector will also contribute; that properties liable for business rates with a rateable value of £50,000 or less will be exempt; and that the £50,000 threshold will be reconsidered once the property market improves.
Now of course this isn't the only problem that small businesses are facing, as more factory units become empty so the rate 'take' of any council is going to go down, although councils do have the power to pursue both the owner and tenants of vacant premises for lost income. This means that those businesses left will have to suffer the burden of additional rates costs. Landlords are seeing their investments diminish, an industrial estate a mile from our office saw five businesses vacate their units last week alone, and they are seeking to claw back some of the losses by pushing rents up for those tenants who are still in situ. I had one client phone me on Monday who was considering shutting the door and walking away simply because he feels the, unplanned, rent increase is wrong, I managed to convince him not to do anything stupid because he has a successful business but to go back to his landlord and ask for the increase to be staggered over two years.
Whilst we are talking turkey nice to see that banks are still being complete bastards, one client received a visit from his customer account manager and inquired whether or not he would like to convert his overdraft into a loan. Loan equals higher interest rates and an arrangement fee, overdraft attracts interest at base rate and no fee. Hmm, can't help thinking that banks are getting all they deserve with that attitude.
3 comments:
Yes, not a good attitude at all. I see that some people will be paying piss all in mortgages too if they are on trackers, of cours ethey shouldn't laugh too loud as it is only the interest being paid but at least it's less coming out of their accounts while things are tight.
Re the rent raise, you should tell him to ask the landlord to stagger BUT ALSO give him far more preferential 'loyalty' terms when things pick up and his units fill up again.
Yes - the 8p mortgages. One thing I noticed a couple of weeks ago is that mortgage repayments are actually at an all time high as people panic about losing their jobs and are paying off the mortgages using savings.
I agree re the rent - there are some strange things happening out there at the moment with commercial property, such as personal guarantees being sought, something I've not seen with rents for a very long time.
Some time ago a piece of "footage" was shown on the news relating to Sam Allerdyce's last days at Sid James' Park. In the foreground is a worried looking Sam and in the background, but clearly visible, are two fans chanting "You don't know what you're doing".
This reminds me of the curremt economic situation. No prizes for guessing who represents who.
Post a Comment