RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has welcomed the roll-out of schemes to cushion businesses from the worst impact of this year's rates revaluation.
Mr Sunak said that three separate reliefs announced in the Spring Budget were now up and running.
While the majority of business benefited from the 2017 business rates revaluation, a small number of rural businesses were particular hard hit. They included the auction marts at Hawes, Leyburn and Northallerton, many equestrian and riding centres, and some pubs.
Mr Sunak said the Local Government Minister Marcus Jones had written to all councils this week urging them to swiftly implement the Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme, the Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme, and the Pub Relief Scheme.
He said that under the original proposals the three marts in his constituency would have faced "eye-watering" increases. After five years Hawes would have been expecting to pay about 270 per more, Northallerton 145 per cent more and Leyburn 92 per cent more.
Welcoming the Minister's announcement, Mr Sunak said he would be encouraging Hambleton and Richmondshire district councils to act quickly to identify eligible businesses, apply the reliefs and issue revised business rate bills as necessary.
"I am very pleased that the reliefs are now available," said Mr Sunak. "The initial proposals, while good for those businesses which are to pay the same or less, were unfair for certain rural enterprises unable to generate the revenue to meet such steep increases.
"It was an issue I was happy to raise in Parliament and with Ministers separately so I am delighted that the changes are being made."