More businesses welcome Tory tax plans

Date: 7th July 2008

Another organisation that represents the interests of UK small businesses has said that it supports the measure set out by the Conservatives to simplify the country's tax regime.

Last week, the Tories unveiled plans to simplify taxation of small to medium-sized enterprises, a move that was welcomed by the Forum of Private Businesses.

Now, the British Chamber of Commerce has also said that it believes the plans would be good for smaller firms in the country.

Policy adviser Brian Sloan said that the plan to set up a Office of Tax Simplification was "long overdue". He added that such a move could "free business from an overly complex system".

Mr Sloan explained: "Small businesses in particular are not only paying an increasing amount of tax, they are also being expected to administer the system on behalf of government. This is burdensome and unfair.

"Removing the temptation from government to announce knee-jerk tax changes can only be a good thing, so announcing a greater role for parliament in scrutinising proposals before they reach the statute book will stabilise the relationship between business, government and the tax system."