The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has updated the rateable values of all business, and other non-domestic, property in England and Wales.
These future rateable values will take effect from 1 April 2023.
Businesses can check the factual information used for their valuation and tell the VOA if anything is wrong.
Local councils calculate business rates bill by multiplying the rateable value by the multiplier set by the government, so a rise in your rateable value does not necessarily mean the rates bill will go up by a similar amount.
For 2023-24, standard multiplier is 51.2 pence and small business multiplier, for businesses with rateable value below £51,000, is 49.9 pence.
The councils apply any rate reliefs you are eligible for, meaning that some small businesses will not pay any business rates at all.
The government also confirmed its commitment to reform of the business rates system by delivering more frequent business rate revaluations.
How to check the future rateable value for your business property:
If your property is in England, get an estimate of what your business rates bill may be from 1 April 2023 from GOV.UK here.
You can also check the factual details VOA hold for the property and compare the property’s rateable value with similar properties in the area.
You will need to sign into, or set up, a Business Rates Valuation Account to tell the VOA about changes to your property details. These changes can include things like floor area sizes and parking.
From 1 April 2023, businesses will be able to use this account to let VOA know if you think your new rateable value is too high.
If your property is in Wales, you can now see the future rateable value for your property and get an estimate of what your business rates bill may be from 1 April 2023 from GOV.UK here.
This estimate is based on Wales’ 2022-23 multiplier and small business rates relief. The multiplier will be updated for 2023-24 before business rates bills are sent out by your local council and may result in a change to the estimate shown.
The future rateable value will be used to calculate your business rates bill from 1 April 2023.
More businesses are expecting to raise prices while fewer firms have increased investment plans, shows a recent survey reflecting the sentiment among businesses regarding upcoming changes this year.
In the largest poll of business sentiment since October’s Budget, the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey, shows concern about tax, including national insurance, has spiked.
Following the Chancellor’s autumn statement, 63 per cent of firms cited it as a worry (compared with 48 per cent in Q3), the highest level on record. Concern about inflation and interest rates remains at similar levels to Q3.
Business confidence has declined significantly with 49 per cent of responding companies expecting their turnover to increase over the next twelve months (compared with 56 per cent in Q3). Confidence levels are lowest in the retail and hospitality sectors (39 per cent and 42 per cent respectively).
The survey was conducted after the Budget, with the fieldwork carried out between Nov 11 and Dec 9. The data from over 4,800 businesses across the UK (91 per cent of whom are SMEs – fewer than 250 employees) also shows that the majority of firms are expecting to raise prices.
Following the Budget, concern about taxation is now cited by 63 per cent of responding firms, up from 48 per cent in Q3. This is the highest level of tax concern since 2017, when the BCC started asking this question. The levels in certain sectors are higher, with 72 per cent of production and manufacturing firms, and 68 per cent of construction and engineering businesses raising tax as a concern.
There has been a significant drop in business confidence since the Chancellor’s statement. Only 49 per cent of firms say they expect their turnover to increase in the next twelve months, down from 56 per cent in Q3. This is the lowest figure since the aftermath of the mini budget in late 2022.
A fifth (21 per cent) of businesses expect turnover to worsen, up from 15 per cent in Q3, and 30 per cent expect no change.
Profitability confidence has also been hit, 40 per cent of firms expect profits to increase over the next year (48 per cent in Q3), while 32 per cent of businesses expect them to fall.
Over half (55 per cent) of responding firms say they expect to raise their prices in the next three months, compared with 39 per cent in Q3. While 43 per cent of businesses expect prices to stay the same, and only 2 per cent expecting to decrease.
Labour continues to be the main cost pressure for firms – but the issue is now raised by 75 per cent of businesses, up from 66 per cent in Q3. The issue is most significant for the hospitality sector with 87 per cent reporting it as a challenge, followed by 84 per cent of firms in the transport and logistics sector.
Only 20 per cent of businesses say they have increased investment plans over the last quarter, down from 23 per cent in Q3. 24 per cent of firms say they have cut back investment plans, a steep rise from the Q3 figure of 18 per cent. 56 per cent of businesses say their plans have remained the same.
The issue is more marked in certain sectors, with 42 per cent of retail and hospitality firms reporting a scaling back of investment and 30 per cent of manufacturers.
The percentage of respondents reporting increased domestic sales has fallen again to 32 per cent, compared to 35 per cent in Q3. 42 per cent reported no change and 26 per cent of firms said they had seen a decrease in sales.
Retailers were the most likely to have seen a fall in sales (36 per cent) followed by manufacturers (33 per cent).
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said, "The worrying reverberations of the Budget are clear to see in our survey data. Businesses confidence has slumped in a pressure cooker of rising costs and taxes.
“Firms of all shapes and sizes are telling us the national insurance hike is particularly damaging. Businesses are already cutting back on investment and say they will have to put up prices in the coming months.
“The Government is rightly coming up with long-term strategies on industry, infrastructure and trade. But those plans won’t help businesses struggling now.
“Business stands ready to work in partnership to make the proposed Employment Rights legislation work for all, but the current plans will add further costs on firms.
“To help business we need to see quick action in three specific areas. Firstly, ministers should accelerate business rate reform to create a system that incentives investment.
“We also need the Government to speed up infrastructure investment, to help SMEs in supply chains across the country. Finally, it’s crucial to support exports, prioritising a better trading deal with the European Union.
“Without urgent Government action to ease the pain on businesses, the challenging economic landscape will get worse before it gets better.”
David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said, “This dataset is a clear signal that business sentiment has been significantly impacted following recent policy announcements, notably national insurance increases. Taxation is now by far the biggest concern, cited by 63% of businesses.
“Confidence has now dipped to 2022 levels, with less than half of firms expecting improved turnover over the next year and over a fifth now expecting it to worsen.
“Faced with rising costs, our survey paints a difficult picture and shows businesses are having to make some very difficult decisions. Many tell us they expect to push up prices and cut back on investment and we expect this to lead to a low or no-growth economic climate in the coming months.”
UK stores saw record sales during Christmas this year with shoppers were seen flocking to bricks and mortar stores spending £14.6 billion, majorly focusing on deals and discounts, shows recent data released today (7).
According to NIQ Christmas 2024 Flash report, after a slow start, it was the biggest ever Christmas over the three weeks to Dec 28 2024 with shoppers spending £14.6 billion, a growth of 3 per cent vs the previous year.
Over the full 4 weeks the market grew by 3.2 per cent.
The highest level of promotions in three years this Christmas with 27 per cent of sales purchased on deal driven by brands at 37 per cent.
Shoppers searched out savings at bricks and mortar stores with visits to store up by 8 per cent. This came at the expense of online with online share falling to 11.9 per cent from 12.5 per cent a year ago.
Discounters were fast growing with market share up to 16.3 per cent up from 15.8 per cent a year ago.
This comes a day after discounter Aldi reported its "best Christmas ever" figure.
Aldi’s total sales rose 3.4 per cent year-on-year, reaching over £1.6bn. While this is a notable achievement, Lidl again outpaced Aldi with a 7 per cent growth during the same period due to its lower prices on key products.
Aldi’s success was fueled by customers trading up to its premium own-label products, with its Specially Selected range experiencing a 12 per cent increase in sales year-on-year.
Aldi responded to evolving consumer preferences by expanding this range to include less traditional meats like goose and duck and seafood dishes like lobster and salmon.
As pointed out by Aliyah Siddika, Retail Analyst at GlobalData, Aldi also successfully broadened its vegan and vegetarian options during the holiday season, appealing to diverse consumers with varying dietary needs and preferences.
"This expansion allowed customers to conveniently cater to all guests for parties or gatherings in one shopping trip. Aldi also introduced new products into its Specially Selected party food range, with wagyu appetisers, bao buns, and prawn toast.
"The Specially Selected range appealed to customers seeking high-quality, innovative products at affordable prices, as these premium products remained cheaper than similar products from its mid-market competitors."
Additionally, Aldi effectively marketed its British products, recognising the increasing demand for these food items during the holiday season.
Aldi experienced robust sales of its British products, including 350,000 fresh British turkeys, over 400 tonnes of British beef, and nearly three million British Brussels sprouts. By focusing on product sourcing throughout the year, Aldi can continue to attract customers and expand its customer base by enhancing perceptions of product quality.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has completed a significant refurbishment of its National Distribution Centre in Crewe. Investing £7.8 million into the facility, the upgrade aims to foster collaboration, enhance employee wellbeing, and drive operational excellence to continue JTI’s growth.
Originally opened in 1994 for Gallaher Ltd, and becoming part of JTI following the acquisition in 2007, the Crewe site is crucial to JTI's UK operations. The centre handles the distribution of all JTI products within the UK, including tobacco, Nordic Spirit, and Ploom products. It despatches an impressive 12,000 customer orders annually, equivalent to 18 billion sticks across JTI's diverse portfolio which includes heritage brands Benson & Hedges, and Mayfair.
The site is a significant contributor to the local economy, employing approximately 70 JTI employees across both UK and global roles, and supports an additional 50 jobs through outsourced services.
"This refurbishment marks a significant milestone for JTI,” said Laura Bailes, Crewe Director. “The redesigned space reflects our vision for the future of work, promoting agility, collaboration, and a strong ‘one-team’ culture. We've created an environment where our employees can thrive, with dedicated wellbeing spaces, modern amenities, and a design that inspires innovation."
The comprehensive refurbishment goes far beyond cosmetic upgrades. Drawing inspiration from Japanese design principles, JTI's brand identity, and local heritage, the new space boasts 32 meeting rooms, including bookable offices and individual focus rooms.
Wellbeing is prioritised with the inclusion of a gym, a yoga studio with weekly classes, and a dedicated training suite. Employees can also utilise a wellbeing room, multifaith room and a parenting room. Further enhancements include sit-stand desks, ergonomic chairs, upgraded AV equipment, and tech-free relaxation areas. A full accessibility review was undertaken in collaboration with the Business Disability Forum, to make the building as accessible-friendly as possible.
The transformation extends to every aspect of the facility, from a new HVAC system to upgraded games facilities and a modern merchandising suite for sales training. This holistic approach ensures a consistent and engaging experience for all employees.
JTI UK continues to support the local community, working in long-term partnerships with a number of charities in the area which support excluded adults. As well as regular fundraising events and volunteering days, employees host monthly tea parties on-site and in the community to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation for local older residents. Through its “Green Connections” partnership with Age UK Cheshire, older people are matched with local community activities to improve feelings of connectedness whilst improving their gardens. The company has long-standing relationships with myCWA and Survive, charities helping those affected by domestic and other forms of abuse, and has recently announced a new partnership with Wishing Well, which provides mental health support to adults in the local area.
This refurbishment follows similar successful projects at JTI's Putney office and other global locations, demonstrating the company's commitment to investing in its people and infrastructure.
The Government must introduce tougher punishments on retailers in order to tackle underage vaping and curb illicit vape sales, according to a new study of almost 6,000 members of the public.
More than half of those polled dismissed the Government’s plans to introduce £200 on-the-spot fines for shopkeepers caught illegally selling vapes to children as too lenient, with almost two thirds saying the fine is too low. When given a list of different options on the amount shopkeepers should be fined if caught, the highest level of support amongst respondents was for fines of up to £1,000 (30 per cent).
BAT UK, the UK’s largest vaping manufacturer, commissioned the survey from independent research group Britain in Focus, in response to the Government’s proposed measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
BAT UK had also consistently called for tighter regulation of the UK vape market including the introduction of a retail license scheme, as was proposed recently by Government. Once brought in, this means vapes can only be sold by someone with a licence. However, the Government has yet to confirm when this scheme will be brought into force and what the punishments will be for those retailers who repeatedly breach their licence.
Only one per cent of those polled are content to wait longer than two years for the scheme to be introduced, with a majority (52 per cent) of the public wanting the licence brought in within the next three months.
Support for strict punishments was also very high, with 67 per cent in favour of retailers losing their licence permanently if they are caught breaching it three times. In comparison, just 22 per cent of respondents supported a temporary licence suspension on this basis, whilst two per cent thought there should be no change to a retailer’s licence if they break the law.
BAT UK shares the UK’s ambition to be smoke-free by 2030 and recognises the important role vaping products will play in achieving this. Today, BAT UK is therefore supporting the public’s call on the Government to enforce tougher punishments for those retailers who sell vapes to children and stock illicit products.
“The results speak for themselves,” said Asli Ertonguc, Head of BAT UK & Western Europe. “The public clearly do not feel the punishments in the current proposals are tough enough to protect the underage. We need to have an open conversation about appropriate regulation and enforcement while keeping vapes as a vital tool for adults to help the UK reach its smoke-free 2030 goal.
“A retail licensing system is a step in the right direction. However, without increased fines and stricter punishments, unethical retailers will simply continue to break the law. For a vape license to be effective, retailers must know that if they abuse it, they lose it.
“With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill still progressing through Parliament, the Government must act fast. The new laws clearly need tougher sanctions to give it the teeth to punish those who sell to children or stock illegal vapes. Without such enforcement, the Bill will fail to achieve its desired impact.”
A Peterborough convenience store has been fully “closed” after it was found to have illicit products and suspected links to organised crime.
As informed by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) carried out a warrant at International Food Store, 41 Lincoln Road, Peterborough city centre, in November where they found 683,400 cigarettes, 37.45kg of hand rolling tobacco, and 35 cigars – all of which were found to be illegal by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The team also found £14,886.20 in cash, as well as large sums of foreign currency and a substantial amount of Sildenafil tablets – commonly known as Viagra which is a prescription-only drug.
A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering and released on bail until February.
The following week, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Sildenafil, in connection with the find at the store.
A search of the adjoining flat uncovered further packs of Sildamax tablets and illicit cigarettes. He has also been released on bail until February.
PC James Rice, from the NST, said, “While Sildenafil is not classed as a controlled drug, it is only permitted to be sold by pharmacies, which this shop is not.
“We have been working closely with Peterborough City Council, Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement and found the shop was mishandling its waste, selling illicit cigarettes and had a suspected illegal worker.
"Concerns were also raised about underage sales of age-restricted products.”
The full closure order was served on the shop and flat above on Tuesday (31), following a successful application at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court.
The order, which is in place until 30 March, states both premises are closed to everyone except for emergency services and employees of Peterborough City Council and their agents. Those who live on the premises have until 10 January to vacate, otherwise will find themselves in breach of the order, which is a criminal offence that could result in imprisonment of up to three months, a fine, or both.
PC Rice added, “We applied to the courts for the business and adjoining flat to be closed due to persistent issues in the store around things such as the sale of age restricted products and other illicit items and non-duty paid products.
“Circumstances such as these are often a front for organised criminality and anti-social behaviour which has detrimental effects in our communities.
“We hope this latest action shows the community that we are committed to tackling organised crime and will continue to police this robustly through regular compliance checks and enforcement of the order.”