Unfair business rates

THE Mail is right to campaign against the vast sums charged in business rates for which firms get nothing in return, not even their bins emptied.

One reason councils are doing little about boarded-up shops on the high Street is that since a change of rules, full business rates must be paid on empty premises after six months.

Those who own properties where a tenant’s business has failed and are unable to find someone else to take on the tenancy are forced to pay large sums to the local council.

Councils still get their money so whether or not high Street shops are closed doesn’t affect them.

ALAN HAILE, London SW6.