John Webber

@Jamorushton @Jamorushton you are an absolute disgrace ! Now apologize to every hamster in the country 😂UTFV !

Haha Palhinha has the brain of a hamster

@OliveTreeBath @libdemdaisy @RachelReevesMP I call out politicians of all parties for getting it wrong on business rates. It appeared to me ( my opinion) that people were spreading misinformation for political reasons which was not helping people trying to run a business like you and causing unnecessary stress.

@JohnWebberFRICS @libdemdaisy So perhaps you could call for absolute clarity from @RachelReevesMP rather than accusing the industry of spreading misinformation?

⚠️ WOW. High streets are being hit with a business rates bombshell. Chancellor has serious questions to answer: ❓How many businesses will pay rates for the first time? ❓How many will see bills go up? ❓Why isn’t she using the powers she gave herself to help high streets?

@OliveTreeBath @libdemdaisy I absolutely agree . The VOA are only responsible for the RV - the multipliers reliefs are not set by them. They should either provide a full calculator or direct you to one - unfortunately they have done neither which creates uncertainty.

@JohnWebberFRICS @libdemdaisy In order to plan and run a business you need facts. There is no document that supports a clear position on any capped transitional relief. The guidance you referenced is vague and covers business moving from small exemptions to low RHL. It does not refer to a business my size.

@OliveTreeBath @libdemdaisy Yes I can see where you looked - the problem is it only gives the basic calculation example although it does caveat reliefs etc - I am sure it is meant to help but without the full calculation it is of course incorrect .

@JohnWebberFRICS @libdemdaisy You are not correct, on the VOA site there is a link that shows you your calculated bill. RV x BM. There is no mention of any cap. I believe I have your details I will send info to you.

@OliveTreeBath @libdemdaisy The VOA site will not give details of your actual bill . They are only concerned with the value - the rateable value which is only one of three elements that make up your bill. RV x multiplier x relief . Send me your details and I will give you the exact bill for 3 years .

@JohnWebberFRICS @libdemdaisy If this is correct, it is very confusing. I have reviewed our projected rates bill on the VOA site and it does not show any cap. Our 2026 rates bill is shown to increase by 95% over our 2025 rates payable. If the bill is capped at 30% why is this not shown in the assessment.

@dustonlandlady gov.uk/government/pub… Miranda your liability is going up by 15% next year to £7574 not 291%

Business rates just jumped from £22k to £86k at The Squirrels. That’s a 291% increase — in one hit. This is how pubs and small businesses fold. Quiet updates, massive impact. #NoDayWasted®

@anthonypender4 @kevinhollinrake @DanNeidle @MartinSLewis @UKHofficial @UKHospKate That certainly is still an issue but we at Colliers are attempting a different strategy given the volume we have in the system. Going forward self assessment is a potential route out of this log jam.

@JohnWebberFRICS @kevinhollinrake @DanNeidle @MartinSLewis @UKHofficial @UKHospKate I remember back in the late 2000’s the VOA still had cases outstanding from one cycle and the next round of valuations came round. The resource isn’t there and has massive cost implications. That won’t resolve the massive under payment for online distribution warehouses either.

BUSINESS RATES SCANDAL Rachel Reeves, Budget speech: “the lowest rates since 1991, paid for through higher rates on…..warehouses used by online giants” So here’s the truth behind Labour’s “fairness”: 📦 Online giants → Ave 16% rise 🍺 Your local pub → Ave 66% rise Small businesses hammered. Big business off the hook. @Conservatives would completely scrap business rates for 250,000 shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants. Paid for by cutting welfare spending and cost of doing govt.

@leonburton @UKHospKate You are right of course that people should get the right advice before challenging but the vast majority have not even looked - the valuation date 1 April 2021 most couldn’t actually open - start from the question what is the value of a pub you couldn’t trade from !

Errr - can you also make sure you advise people correctly @UKHospKate. Yes they can lodge an appeal - but the RV may actually end up going UP. It’s not as simple as appeal and it might go down. People need to know the risks.

@JohnWebberFRICS @Colliers Thank you and yes, I urge everyone to check, challenge and seek advice

And a reminder you can still lodge an appeal against your existing rateable value for April 23-26

@anthonypender4 @kevinhollinrake @DanNeidle @MartinSLewis @UKHofficial @UKHospKate Absolutely agree but 2023 Rating List appeal window is still open for 4 months- most businesses have it challenged them.

@JohnWebberFRICS @kevinhollinrake @DanNeidle @MartinSLewis @UKHofficial @UKHospKate I’m afraid the point here is they are still increasing on businesses that already bear the brunt of tax burden and closures will accelerate in addition to unemployment. As a sector our ask has always been fair parity. Amazon has seen marginal increases whilst we take the brunt.

@UKHospKate gov.uk/guidance/ratin… But obviously @Colliers here to help anyone.

@JohnWebberFRICS Quite - could you share a quick link by any chance?

Yes, increases are capped but that is still govt accepting bills are going up and the full increase still takes effect at the end of this period. Even a capped 5-15% increase in your bill may be more than small pubs, restaurants and hotels can bear when their margin is wafer thin

@UKHospKate Spot on but don’t let challenging 23 pass anyone by !

@JohnWebberFRICS As you well know, system is inadequate to get accurate assessments done in first place and overwhelmed with appeals - many of which take 18months to 5 years to go through. Funded fast track challenge essential before April but 20p discounted rate needed too

@steviexdavis @kevinhollinrake @DanNeidle @MartinSLewis @UKHofficial @UKHospKate Have a look at this - scroll down to examples - the bills are capped next year gov.uk/government/pub…

@JohnWebberFRICS @kevinhollinrake @DanNeidle @MartinSLewis @UKHofficial @UKHospKate You know they've also cancelled the hospitality 40% discount, so they go up AT LEAST 40%. When they promised LOWER business rates. Please don't patronise us, we see the figures we are looking at them all the time. You try running a pub or a brewery at the moment. THIS IS DIRE.

@griffitha gov.uk/government/pub… . Andrew this note is very clear RHL is getting support next year - let’s be honest with business instead of scaremongering. 5/15/30 % cap next year .

Hospitality is now facing a business rates crisis. Reeves claimed their taxes would go down. That’s just not true. We need the Treasury to change course right now. I wrote about this problem yesterday, read my thread below.

⁦@DanNeidle⁩