CIPFA speaks out over rising business rates row

摘要

Finance directors have hit back at criticisms made by big companies that business rates are causing the collapse of retailers on the high street.The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) said that in the age of austerity 'business rates are an important part of local government funding and key to the delivery of public services'.CIPFA's intervention came after comments made last week by the chief executive of Tesco, Dave Lewis, that crippling business rates were a 'large part' of the collapse of businesses.Mr Lewis argued that raising business rates was resulting in an 'uneven playing field' for some firms.He cited the £700m a year paid by Tesco, the largest tax his company paid.Mr Lewis also accused ministers of ignoring retail in the Government's industrial strategy.