The Federation of Small Businesses has campaigned for automatic refunds of the millions of pounds calculated and earmarked by the Treasury for eligible businesses which go unclaimed.
Now Luton & Bedfordshire FSB branch chair Carole Hegley is calling on councils to begin refunding automatically, rather than forcing small firms to go through a time-consuming application process to recoup money to which they are entitled.
Mrs Hegley said: We have developed excellent relations with councils across the country through our small business engagement accord and we will be urging them to use their new powers to ensure that all small businesses receive the relief that they are entitled to."
The government’s decision was “welcome news”, she added. “We have
long been calling for small business rate relief to be made automatic and this cash injection will be of great help to many small businesses.
"The onus is now on councils to be creative and not needlessly make small businesses go through an application process when it is obvious they are eligible.”
