UK budget brings backdated rates reprieve

Council estimated bills totalled £4m for 33 properties in Goole, £11m for 34 properties in Hull and a eye-watering £19m for 59 properties in Grimsby & Immingham. Other ports were similarly hit.

However, the relief has come too late for some port companies. In March, Scotline was forced to put its Humber terminal into liquidation after receiving a court summons over a £600,000 backdated rates bill. The terminal at the Port of Goole, which handled up to 200,000 m³ of timber imports a year, ceased trading, leaving ten people unemployed.

“The dark tax cloud that has been hanging over some port businesses, the backbone of Britain’s export industry, for too long has finally been lifted,” said Local Government Minister Bob Neill. “The Chancellor’s decision to waive and repay the unexpected rates bills for those affected port businesses is a victory for common sense. Many companies across the country will be able to move forward confidently, unburdened by these unexpected debts. “

Port companies around England and Wales have been campaigning hard against massive business rates bills that have been backdated to 2005.