NICK HARVEY CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT OVER EMPTY PROPERTY TAX
December 1, 2008 12:00 AM
Following recent meetings with concerned members of the local business community, Nick Harvey has been vigorously lobbying the Treasury for an extension of the relief on the much hated empty property tax.
'The Government is effectively forcing landlords to accept lower rents,' say Nick Harvey, 'or dispose of properties rather than leave them empty. This should be a commercial decision driven by market forces not by the Government.'
When pressed Maria Eagle MP, the Treasury Secretary claimed, 'In terms of resulting space available for business, some landlords will respond to the incentive provided by the reforms by offering empty properties for reduced rents, or refurbish them to make then more attractive to tenants.'
'Talk of incentives is spurious,' argues Nick, 'the reality is that the empty buildings tax is a flagrant revenue generating exercise by the Treasury, which is now hitting businesses just when they need to be tightening their belts.'
Defending her position Maria Eagle adds, 'We are now facing a more challenging economic climate and recognise that businesses are facing challenging times too. However, there are real reasons to be confident about our economy's prospects.'
'Local business tells me otherwise,' says Nick, 'and the Government needs to recognise that the empty property tax is a step in the wrong direction. It should not be penalising businesses for having empty buildings and I will continue to campaign against this.'
Notes for Editors:
The Government reformed the Empty Property Rate relief after it discovered that in England relief from business rates provided to empty property prior to 1 April 2008 was losing the Exchequer £1.3 billion per annum.
Current rate relief is three months free for retail and office property and six months for industrial property. It is felt to be insufficient in the current economic climate.
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