Small business rates
We've just received our Rates bill and I studied the bill carefully, in light of the promises that were at the last election.
We are no longer entitled to Small Business Rates Relief, and now have to apply for Small Business Bonus Scheme. Which is, er, a scheme of Rates Relief for Small Businesses.
The old scheme was clear: up to 50% discount if the rateable value was under £8,000, and a 5% discount if the rateable value was between £8,000 and £11,500.
The new scheme is 80% discount if the RV is under £8,000; 40% if the RV is between £8,000 and £10,000; 20% on a RV between £10,000 and £15,000; and a surcharge of 0.4% if the RV is over £29,000.
The SNP election promise was clearer: 100% relief on a RV under £8,000; 50% on a RV between £8,000 and £10,000; 25% on a RV between £10,000 and £15,000. So only 2/10 for trying to meet a promise (which I thought was a piece of nonsense anyway).
But like all the best duplicitous 'savings' the old scheme is withdrawn, and new applications have to be made, despite there being no change in the Rateable Value as printed on your Rates Notice.
End result - lots of irate phone calls to the Comhairle about the increased bills, lots of wrong direct debits drawn, and a only very small saving to most business.
All-in-all a very modest and mediocre idea that will deliver little, and which will be seen as a promise not delivered.
We are no longer entitled to Small Business Rates Relief, and now have to apply for Small Business Bonus Scheme. Which is, er, a scheme of Rates Relief for Small Businesses.
The old scheme was clear: up to 50% discount if the rateable value was under £8,000, and a 5% discount if the rateable value was between £8,000 and £11,500.
The new scheme is 80% discount if the RV is under £8,000; 40% if the RV is between £8,000 and £10,000; 20% on a RV between £10,000 and £15,000; and a surcharge of 0.4% if the RV is over £29,000.
The SNP election promise was clearer: 100% relief on a RV under £8,000; 50% on a RV between £8,000 and £10,000; 25% on a RV between £10,000 and £15,000. So only 2/10 for trying to meet a promise (which I thought was a piece of nonsense anyway).
But like all the best duplicitous 'savings' the old scheme is withdrawn, and new applications have to be made, despite there being no change in the Rateable Value as printed on your Rates Notice.
End result - lots of irate phone calls to the Comhairle about the increased bills, lots of wrong direct debits drawn, and a only very small saving to most business.
All-in-all a very modest and mediocre idea that will deliver little, and which will be seen as a promise not delivered.
6 comments:
Hi Angus, I noticed my biz rates went up by about £800. What do you mean about applying to get a small business bonus scheme? Is this something I and other business's have to do to get it cheaper??
The application form for the discount should have been included in with the rates notice.
Otherwise, look at the foot of the reverse of the bill for details of who to contact.
The application form for the discount should have been included in with the rates notice.
Otherwise, look at the foot of the reverse of the bill for details of who to contact.
an echo, or a nervous twitch?
All-in-all a very modest and mediocre idea that will deliver little, and which will be seen as a promise not delivered
Or maybe that should say another promise not delivered
Hurrah! SSU, the Labour Activist is back! (Wonder which party she'll claim she originally supported, this year?) Must be an election in the air.
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