Budget Was "a Bullet Dodged" for Warehousing

(Copyright, UKWA, reproduced with kind permission)

Responding to the recent UK  Budget, in which the Chancellor listened to calls from the logistics sector not to raise business rates on large warehouses, Clare Bottle, CEO of the UK Warehousing Association, said:

"After weeks where it seemed almost inevitable that business rates on large properties like warehouses would go up again at the Budget, today was a bullet dodged for our sector.

"The UKWA has led the charge to persuade the Government that a rise in property taxes for warehouses would inexorably lead to higher costs for business and consumers, and we are pleased our argument has been heeded.

"However, it is still the case the 7 in 10 large distribution warehouses are being hit by the high value multiplier for business rates, and our members face high costs across the board, including fuel and employment. By extending the Business Rates Transitional Relief Supplement, the Chancellor is maintaining the pressure on businesses outside favoured sectors like high street shops and pubs.

"Elsewhere in the Budget, £100 million of investment in local apprenticeship services could help employers, as part of the Government's broader reforms to vocational education. We also welcome the commitment to work with the private sector to build up the UK's defence-industrial base, and our members stand ready to help.

"The Budget announcement is one day. Over the coming months the Government must speed up improvements to the electricity grid, allowing warehouses to make upgrades including solar panels and electric vehicle charging, and make sure employment law changes take account of the realities of running a business."