UKWA chief condemns ‘unfair’ business rates burden on warehousing sector

Responding to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, in which Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt announced measures intended to address what he called the tax burden imbalance between online retailers and bricks and mortar sales, UKWA Chief Executive Clare Bottle has branded the intended increase in business rates for warehouses ‘unfair’.

Total business rates paid by the retail sector are estimated to fall by 20%, but for large distribution warehouses business rates will rise by a painful 27%.

Ms Bottle commented:

“The changes in business rates are intended to reflect the growth of the online sales sector, but not all warehouses are involved in ecommerce. What’s more, eCommerce is seeing a downturn since the end of the COVID lockdowns.”

Retail shops on the high street, who are seeing a fall in bills, will get the full reduction as a result of transition relief reforms. Online marketplace warehouses, on the other hand, will pay higher bills, because of the revaluation, even though our sector has seen bills go up, including increased wages, energy costs and equipment like MHE and racking. Warehousing is facing a disproportionate increase in business rates.

The transitional relief is intended to make increases more manageable, with caps at 5%, 15% and 30% for small, medium and large properties. But most warehouses fall into the latter category… and therefore could still potentially be seeing up to 40% increases in their rates bills. The 30% cap is very high and not of huge benefit to most logistics properties. This is a big disappointment and simply not fair.”

On a more positive note, UKWA has welcomed the Chancellor’s comments on the need for energy independence combined with energy efficiency – independence to ensure that the country is not at the mercy of international gas prices and the threat of energy blackmail, efficiency to reduce demand and climate impact.

Clare Bottle said:

“Jeremy Hunt has declared that Britain is a global leader in renewable energy, with our renewable energy production growing faster than any other large country in Europe last year. Following our major report on the potential benefits to the UK (as well as to the logistics sector) of solar PV on warehouse rooftops, we are hopeful of pushing on an ‘open door’ to engage government in discussion on support for more businesses in embracing solar power.”

This article was originally published by UKWA.