ACS sets out business rates reform recommendations to Chancellor
The Association of Convenience Stores has made a series of recommendations on business rates and other issues to Chancellor George Osborne ahead of the Autumn Statement.
The association has recommended a 2% cap on annual business rate increases to provide retailers with greater certainty in their financial planning, along with root and branch reform of the discretionary rate relief system.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Chancellor must take action to reduce the spiralling costs that are deterring retailers from investing and creating more jobs, and this starts by reforming the business rates system to stop the annual unpredictable rates increases that have put many local shops in jeopardy.”
The association has also made a series of recommendations on energy, which include the introduction of a mandatory 12 month limit on backbilling introduced by all suppliers, an end to automatic rollover contracts, and a robust accreditation system for third party intermediaries to stop mis-selling in the market.
On employment regulations, the ACS has suggested a freeze in the 2014 National Minimum Wage rate at its current level in addition to continued assessment of the impact of national minimum wage increases on small retailers.
Lowman added: “Retailers are reaching a crisis point where cost increases or unexpected bills in any aspect of their business will lead to a reduction in staff hours and in extreme cases, the closure of the business altogether.”
