The government believes the new business rates appeal system is “working well” despite a string of retailers complaining of difficulty registering their property.
Local business minister Marcus Jones said in a letter seen by The Daily Telegraph that early indications of the online appeals system showed it working well.
However, research from the Valuation Office Agency has suggested that over 90 per cent of businesses who have used the new online system called “Check, Challenge, Appeal” were dissatisfied by the service.
The system has seen almost unanimous condemnation since its introduction, as the £300 million pledged to help those businesses most affected by the changes has been administered at a snail’s pace seeing just two out of nearly 100 local councils pay out.
Colliers International head of consultancy John Webber said in response to Jones‘ statement that the system was working well “if you designed a system that doesn‘t allow people to appeal”.
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