Short-sighted rise will kill thousands of businesses

I WONDER what planet Treasury minister David Gauke was born on. Even the thought of increasing business rates and the damage it could do to our economy makes me shake with anger (“Shops tax shake-up defended”, February18).

Has he forgotten the number of people unemployed back in 2010 following the cutbacks in the public sector, under the direction of the then PM David Cameron, when he pointed out many of these unemployed would have the chance (with Government help) to start up their own businesses?

These businesses are the backbone of our country and Gauke is trying to kill them off. He ought to be ashamed of himself. Dilys Collinson, Rishton, Lancs