29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Chancellor must fix ‘black hole’ in business support

Chancellor must fix ‘black hole’ in business support

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats have warned the Government that small businesses face a 'black hole' in support, risking thousands of closures and job losses. Furlough begins to taper away and the business rates holiday comes to an end on July 1st. However, restrictions are set to remain in place until 19th July. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Treasury, Christine Jardine MP said: "This Government seems incapable of hearing the many voices telling them loudly and clearly how desperately small businesses need support to help them cope with the extra period of restrictions, and beyond. "It is completely incomprehensible that the Chancellor is prepared to end so many of the support mechanisms before firms even have a chance to open their doors and start trading. "Why support them for this long and then not…
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25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes supports ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ for business rates cut

Sykes supports ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ for business rates cut

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has shown his support for the ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ that is calling for a cut in the business rates that high street retailers pay. In 2020, Revo, a membership group representing retailers, launched the campaign to cut and reform business rates for retail property. Since its introduction, this tax has increased by almost 50 per cent for bricks-and-mortar stores and is one of the largest costs paid by shopkeepers. It has led to the closure of many shops, leading to job losses and a loss of customer choice. During the COVID-19 Lockdown, non-food shops have been forced to close for long periods, and many more now face ruin. The government is conducting a Fundamental Review of Business…
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20Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Cable: Govt must level the playing field between the high street and online

Parliamentary news
Responding to the report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee calling on the Government to consider the options of an online sales tax and reforms to business rates, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: “While our high streets are going through an extremely difficult time, with the right action from government, councils, businesses and local communities, they can prosper once again. “Instead of trying to recreate the high streets of the past, our towns and cities need to tailor their offer to local tastes and focus on experiences at a time of growing demand for online shopping. “There must be a level playing field between brick and mortar businesses and online companies. Business rates should be replaced with a land value tax that encourages businesses to invest.…
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05Oct 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats publish plans to cut taxes for businesses by 26% in Oldham

Borough news, Campaigns
The Liberal Democrats have published a comprehensive blueprint for replacing the broken business rates system, cutting taxes for businesses by 26% in Oldham. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has described the plans as “exactly the sort of policy we need to boost local investment and ensure businesses in Oldham thrive”. The report – Taxing Land, Not Investment – calls for the abolition of business rates and its replacement with a tax on land values, the Commercial Landowner Levy (CLL). The levy would remove buildings and machinery from calculations and tax only the land value of commercial sites, boosting investment and cutting taxes for businesses. Liberal Democrat members, including councillor Sykes, voted to support the proposals at their party’s Autumn Conference…
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