STATEMENT: Islington Council responds to the Chancellor's 2017 Budget

Cllr Asima Shaikh, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “Small businesses in Islington face massive central government increases in business rates bills from 1st April and today’s announcements by the Chancellor will do little to ease the pain.

 

“Islington Council has supported our small businesses by working with Islington Chamber of Commerce and Angel BID to organise a petition against the business rates increases – that has been signed by more than 13,600 local people.

 

“The cap on increases for small businesses that will lose Small Business Rates Relief announced today is welcome, but this is for a limited time only. 

 

“The total business rates bill for Islington’s businesses will increase by almost £100 million from 1st April, so the extra money for discretionary relief will make very little difference.

 

“Islington Council will not receive any extra funding from the increase in business rates bills. We will continue to push the government to bring forward genuine support for local businesses and will offer support to those affected by the government’s increase in business rates bills.”