Rates rise hits firms

that doesn’t mean the May administration should have free rein over how it is shaped and implemented, or be unanswerable to legitimate concerns surrounding the planned departure from the single market, for example.

In that context the accelerated timetable for Brexit to ensure the Government meets its end-of-March deadline is worrying.

MPs will, however, have the chance to secure concessions at committee stage next week, with pages of amendments already tabled.

And, as Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has been at pains to stress, the Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50) Bill – once passed – will merely authorise the Prime Minister to fire the starting gun on the negotiations.

For those hoping to soften the Government’s approach, perhaps the most significant coup would be to obtain a commitment to a meaningful parliamentary vote on the final deal.

That is to say one in advance of approval in the European Parliament, required for the settlement to be agreed.

Far from a fait accompli, MPs could then swing a giant wrecking ball at the arrangement, putting considerable political pressure on their MEP colleagues. HIKES in business rates will see firms fold and jobs lost, a campaign group has warned.

Business rates are being re-evaluated this year but councils will face a blizzard of appeals and firms could go to the wall before the hearing takes place, says Gary Walton, of businessratesadvice. com.

“Some firms are only now finding out the value of their premises has been more than doubled and many will not be able to afford these increases which come into effect in April,” he said.