BUSINESS RATE RELIEF

That this House notes with concern that businesses across the country are being notified of steep increases to their business rates; understands that this is because the 2005 to 2009 business rate scheme is the first under which no transitional relief will be available during the last year of its cycle; recognises that many businesses will find any rate increases incredibly hard to afford; and calls on the Government to extend transitional business relief for two years to help small and medium-sized enterprises weather the economic recession.