Lib Dems will scrap business rates to “breathe new life” into Woking high streets

The Lib Dems have announced plans to scrap business rates and replace them with a landowner levy, to "breathe new life" into high streets across Woking.

The party would replace business rates with a commercial landowner levy, based on the value of the land only. This would take the cost off businesses and help support high streets.

By taxing landowners rather than businesses, half a million small businesses across the country would be spared the burden of property taxation.

Lib Dem Candidate for Woking, Will Forster, said:

"Many retailers and small businesses in Woking and across the surrounding villages are under pressure from economic uncertainty, the rise of online retail and the burden of business rates."

"Yet this Conservative Government is failing to get to grips with the crisis facing our high streets. Time and again they have promised reviews of business rates but have failed to take action."

"The Lib Dems will shift the tax burden from tenants to landlords, so we can breathe new life back into our high streets. We will stop Brexit and build a brighter future, giving local businesses the certainty and support they need to thrive."