Retail NI Comment On Autumn Statement

he said “Our members are facing a perfect storm of cost challenges from Energy, Business Rates and a major downturn in consumer spend. It is disappointing that there was very little further support in the statement for local small businesses struggling to keep the lights on”

 “The freezing of the threshold for employer National Insurance is a stealth tax on small businesses and jobs and will result in higher costs”

 “We note the Chancellor announced a £13.6 billion package of business rate support for small businesses in England. We will be lobbying for the Barnett consequential of this to provide rates relief to struggling small traders In Northern Ireland”