Lib Dem Crotty says Warrington business rates money must come back

4.55.00pm GMT Wed 16th Dec 2009

"Warrington's business rates money should be spent in Warrington" says Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Councillor Jo Crotty. Jo Crotty is today, (Wednesday 16th December 2009), launching a campaign to get the Labour Government to hand back millions of pounds taken from businesses in Warrington.

Councillor Crotty added "I am today asking Warrington residents to join me in fighting for a fair deal for Warrington on Business Rates. Warrington residents, like me, who take a look at the Borough Council's Budget Consultation document for 2010/11 can see that the Borough expects to raise over £100 Million in Business Rates in each of the next three years. The money is collected locally but is then taken by the Government to be distributed to Councils across the country. Astonishingly over £50 Million a year of Warrington's business rates money is expected to be held back by the Labour Government.

Less than half the money raised in Warrington from business rates will find it's way back to our Borough. Warrington is being let down by Labour who are not handing us back our fair share.

Our Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable, who has visited Warrington to talk to local businesses, has led calls in Parliament for the Labour Government to change the law so that Councils can keep the business rates that they collect locally.

Our business rates money is needed in Warrington to support vital local services for Warrington people. Warrington's Labour MPs have failed to secure a better deal for local people on getting back our business rates. I am determined to fight all the way for a fair deal for Warrington on business rates - the campaign starts here!"