BUSINESS RATES CAP

That this House welcomes the campaign by business, retail and property organisations which calls for the Chancellor to cap annual business rates increases at 2 per cent. in line with the Government's inflation target; notes that the proposed 5.6 per cent. business rates increase planned for April 2012 is based on a spike in Retail Prices Indexinflation and bears no correlation tofuture inflation rates; further welcomes the proposed 2 per cent. cap as a progressive measure that will boost jobs and growthby providing business with relief from high inflation, certainty on future rates and the confidence to invest and expand; and calls on the Chancellorof the Exchequer to give strong consideration tointroducing this measure in the Budget.