WIREDGOV

From today businesses all over England can apply to their local council to defer part of their 2009-10 business rates bills thanks to a new government scheme, announced Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton.

Special provisions mean that from today:

• all business ratepayers can apply to their local council to put off 3 per cent of their whole year's 2009/2010 business rates bill
• those who accrued a rise in their bill because transitional relief has come to an end can now defer 60 per cent of the increase

Local councils are now sending out a simple one page application form with details of how to apply for this scheme and small business rate relief to every ratepayer in England.

Businesses should apply to local authorities as soon as possible. Once approved businesses will pay reduced instalments for the remainder of the financial year or until payment is complete. Businesses that submit their application next month can expect to see their bills reduced by October.

Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton said:

"The business rates deferral scheme will provide real help now to businesses facing financial pressures in the current climate.

"Letters are already on their way to every ratepayer explaining how to apply for this new scheme, as well as detailing existing help for small businesses that could potentially halve their total bill."

"This is on top of other help for business from Government, including free business health checks, skills training, and help for almost 100,000 large businesses to defer over £1.7bn in other taxes."

Notes to editors

Information for this scheme including a one page application form and details of other help for businesses in the downturn has been sent to every ratepayer in England by their local council.

Applicants should simply return the form to their local authority before the end of the financial year. Only one application form needs to be completed where the ratepayer has more than one property in a local council area provided all the relevant addresses are given on that form.

Further help may be available for small businesses to pay their bills, with Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR). This relief supports small businesses who generally occupy only one property. The relief is available at 50 per cent for eligible properties up to £5,000 rateable value and relief decreases at the rate of around 1 per cent per £100 of rateable value up to 0 per cent at £10,000.

For further details of the full range of support and information available to businesses visit: www.businesslink.gov.uk/realhelp or speak to a BusinessLink adviser on 0845 600 9006.

Application forms for the new scheme can be found at: www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/doc/1295587.doc.

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