Autumn Statement encouraging for small business but disappoints traditional house owners

CLA - Country Land and Business Association Limited logo

The CLA in the North says it is disappointed the Chancellor will be cutting the grant for insulating properties, as many rural dwellers own traditional houses that use more expensive natural fibres.

CLA North Director of Policy & Public Affairs Douglas Chalmers said: “The cutting of the Community Emissions Reduction Obligation grant for traditional houses, announced in today’s Autumn Statement, means many will now fail to reach the required minimum energy performance level by 2018.

“We do however welcome the Chancellor’s decision to extend the doubling of Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) until April 2015 and to boost support for small businesses by introducing a £1,000 discount against business rates bills for retail premises.

“Regardless of the news of a recovering economy, our smaller businesses need all the help they can get until this recovery rolls out nationwide. However, rural businesses must be able to reap the rewards of these changes as much as their counterparts in towns and cities.”

The CLA also welcomed the freeze in fuel duty for the remainder of this Parliament.

Mr Chalmers added: “Rural dwellers and businesses are highly dependent on road transport and this move will come as good news to many already struggling with the higher costs of living and working in the countryside.”