MP in empty rates relief campaign - commercial mortgages

11 July 2008

An backbench MP has launched a campaign to get the government to reconsider its decision to end empty rates relief, news that may interest those with commercial mortgages on such buildings.

The Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin is seeking a review of the move that has led to firms having to pay higher rates on any empty properties they have, Property Week reports.

He told the magazine that some firms considered themselves in danger of going bankrupt due to the empty costs and said he would urge a review of the tax to be carried out in the pre-budget report.

Referring to a provision in the law that allows the relief to be partially reintroduced in fallow economic times, he added: "I shall also be pressing ministers to activate the 50 per cent relief or, alternatively, to give councils the discretion to relieve where necessary."

The Daily Telegraph recently suggested that the government was considering a u-turn over the levy.