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27 August 2008 Firms urged to claim rates relief as deadline looms

With the deadline for claiming Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) now looming, a leading business group is highlighting the value of the Government scheme.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB), which represents 25,000 UK-based private companies, is urging firms hit by higher rates to apply for the relief ahead of the close date on 1 September.

The SBRR scheme was introduced in April 2005 to give businesses based in properties with low rateable values the opportunity to ease the burden of their rates.

Small businesses in England and Wales are entitled to SBRR if the rateable value of their premises is less than £15,000 (£21,500 in London).

However, recent research from the Local Government Association suggests that less than half of the 870,000 eligible enterprises have applied for the scheme.

‘The Government needs to do more to promote the scheme to help small firms, which, given the current economic climate, need support more than ever,’ advised Nick Palin, the FPB's Finance and Administration Director.

For more help and advice on claiming SBRR and other forms of relief, please contact us.