8:19 pm, November 13, 2008
RMIF chairman Paul Williams last night lobbied Government to offer business rate relief for car dealers.
He said it ‘is a key issue for motor retail businesses, many of whom are at present paying over the odds for sites that are not being used at present.’
Williams was speaking, as we reported live last night, at the RMIF Parliamentary Dinner 2008. This was held at the Houses of Parliament.
He stressed to Government the unfairness of businesses paying the same level of council rates on unused buildings, as they do on those which are commercially active. He added it was ‘impractical, as the owners are not delivering any benefit from these unused buildings.’
The economy could be adversely affected as well. ‘In some cases, it is cheaper to demolish a building, which reduces UK commercial building stock, and will affect future prosperity in the long term.’
Other issues Williams drove home to MPs was the full effect on the road tax refund changes to car dealers, and the impact of benefit in kind changes.
‘The RMIF will continue to push these issues to the fore on behalf of its membership.’
