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Large retailers call for business rates reform

More than 50 major retailers have written to chancellor Sajid Javid calling for a freeze in the business rates multiplier.

The call is one of four demands made by businesses in the letter, coordinated by the British Retail Consortium.

The businesses also called for changes to transitional relief, the introduction of an “improvement relief” and providing more resources to the Valuation Office Agency.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The fact that over fifty retail chief executives have come together on this issue should send a powerful message to Government.

“Retail accounts for 5% of the economy yet pays 25% of all business rates – this disparity is damaging our high streets and harming the communities they support.”

Businesses signing the letter include Sainsbury’s, Boots and John Lewis.

Until recently, the FRC had little involvement in local government affairs. But with investigations into council officers becoming more frequent, where is the political accountability?

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