Stockport MP warns delay in rates review will affect HIgh Streets

Local Stockport MP Ann Coffey has warned that the government’s delay in reviewing business rates until 2017 will do nothing to aid the recovery of the UK’s High Streets and town centre communities and called the decision the ‘political equivalent of the poll tax’. 

Today’s rates were set prior to the recession and retailers and businesses were hoping for more positive news although the government said its intention was to help local firms and shops facing ‘unexpected hikes’ in their business rates over the next five years.