Rate relief the perfect Easter gift, says FSB

Date: 9th April 2009

Granting small companies automatic business rate relief would be the ideal Easter gift from the government.

That is according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which has pointed to the fact that rate relief will now be given automatically to firms in Northern Ireland and Wales, but not England.

The FSB claims that the £400 million in taxation relief currently not utilised by the Treasury could provide substantial help for English enterprises.

John Wright, national chairman of the FSB, commented: "Next month's budget could be make or break for small businesses.

"With around 120 businesses going bust a day it is crucial that immediate action is taken to sustain their cashflow."

Mr Wright added that automatic business rate relief would help "free up vital cash" for small firms.

Also this week, a representative from the advisory website smallbusiness.co.uk claimed that small firms can thrive during the recession due to weakened competition.