DCN has responded to the Government’s consultation on ‘business rates avoidance and evasion’. In our response, DCN highlighted that it would be more efficient for councils to set business rates exemptions and reliefs locally.

“DCN believes this is an opportunity to remove centrally prescribed mandatory provisions and instead empower councils to decide whether or not to support certain ratepayers. However, this would be possible only with a transfer of resources equivalent to the existing value of those exemptions and reliefs to local government. Such an approach would support our view that, as a matter of general principle, exemptions and reliefs should be set locally” we said.

You can read our full response by clicking here.