Labour’s business rates policy would have kept shops open in Rochdale, says MP

Simon Danczuk MP

Rochdale’s MP Simon Danczuk has welcomed Labour leader, Ed Miliband’s pledge that a Labour Government would cut business rates and freeze them for a further year for small businesses as the “lifeline that places like Rochdale need right now”.

Commenting on the policy commitment made at the Labour conference, Mr Danczuk said it was welcome news for the high street.

“Ed Miliband has shown he’s listening to small businesses and realised that you can’t keep taxing them off the high street,” he said. “If this policy had come into force two years ago our high streets would be in much better shape and I’m convinced that shops that have subsequently closed in Rochdale would still be open.”

As a vocal campaigner for business rate reform and fairer taxes for small businesses, he said today’s policy was a big step in the right direction.

“Ed Miliband is offering some much needed respite and support for small businesses and they desperately need that breathing space,” he said. “Last year we had the biggest increase in business rates in 20 years and in the course of this parliament the Government are projected to pile on an extra £6.5billion on to the business rates bill.

“These relentless rises are pushing many people over the edge and while Coalition ministers seem to think you can carry on squeezing small businesses to death, I’m pleased that Ed Miliband has stood up and said ‘enough is enough’. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and a Labour Government would give them the support they need to grow.”