BUSINESS RATES CAP

Early day motion 2774, tabled 27 February 2012 by Peter Aldous (Conservative). Signed by 18 members.

That this House welcomes the campaign by business, retail and property organisations which calls for the Chancellor to cap annual business rates increases at 2 per cent. in line with the Government's inflation target; notes that the proposed 5.6 per cent. business rates increase planned for April 2012 is based on a spike in Retail Prices Indexinflation and bears no correlation tofuture inflation rates; further welcomes the proposed 2 per cent. cap as a progressive measure that will boost jobs and growthby providing business with relief from high inflation, certainty on future rates and the confidence to invest and expand; and calls on the Chancellorof the Exchequer to give strong consideration tointroducing this measure in the Budget.

Signatures by party: Conservative 8, Liberal Democrat 6, Labour 2, DUP 1, Independent 1.