Trade body welcomes gov't response on rates reform

The appeals system, they said, is “taking far too long”.

UKHospitality welcomed the government’s statement to the Treasury Committee inquiry on the impact of business rates on businesses, urging them to “act swiftly.”

The hospitality trade body said the response “confirms the Government’s commitment to a fundamental reform of the rates system and acknowledges failings in the appeals mechanism.”

“It is good to see that there is a commitment to fundamental reform of the rates system. The Government now needs to push ahead and fulfil its promise without delay. It has indicated that it will listen to suggestions for reform, so we will be liaising with them to make sure the future system works for hospitality,” UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said in a statement.

“In particular, it is good to see a recognition that the appeals system, as it currently stands, is taking far too long. Businesses are being left in limbo as they try to navigate the process and it needs streamlining urgently," she added.