Don't target local businesses to close council funding gaps
11/08/09 | 13:34
Responding to the Local Government Association’s figures demonstrating that Local Authorities have seen a £4bn deficit in income over the last two years, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Like businesses, councils are currently facing tough financial times and hard choices. These figures on local authority income are therefore no surprise.
“Local businesses and councils work well together in many parts of the country. But as budgets tighten, that partnership could be damaged if businesses are seen as a source of revenue to plug funding gaps.
“Additional local business taxes now would be a tax on recovery. Instead, councils should continue to seek out efficiency savings - much as the private sector is doing."
Ends
Media Contact:
Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.