News Article - 07 August 2007
Category:

Councils should not be given the authority to raise "vast amounts of money" without public approval and the involvement of local employers, it has been claimed.

In response to the report on supplementary business rates, issued recently by the communities and local government select committee, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for more public and employer involvement.

John Cridland, the CBI's director-general, stated that such a tax - if implemented - should be clearly defined and used appropriately.

Mr Cridland also suggested that employers be given the vote to enable them to get involved in a project, adding that a ballot had only been thought necessary if the levy rises above ten per cent.

"This would give councils almost unfettered authority to raise vast amounts of money without the need to win support through the ballot box," he warned.

Various taxes are already imposed upon businesses, including stamp duty and a capital gains levy.

Article keywords:

---

More industry news

• Think tank warns UK may have already slipped back into recession
• Growing demand for HR staff in technology and international sectors
• Boosting business growth a ‘priority’ to avoid Eurozone slowdown
• HMRC launches alternative disputes pilot scheme this week
• December employment statistics disregard gloomy recruitment predictions
• Eurozone manufacturing PMI shows modest improvement
• UK scores highly for economic governance by ratings agency
• Government launches two-year project focusing on manufacturing sector
• Burden of regulation on UK businesses ‘too high’

Back to news home page »