|
|
Article: 'We want to protect jobs'
- Article from:
- Hull Daily Mail (UK)
- Article date:
- October 8, 2008
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Hull Daily Mail (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
But, as recently highlighted by the Mail, the Humber ports system
faces a serious threat as a result of Whitehall red tape, one that
could drive firms to bankruptcy and put thousands of jobs at risk.
Earlier this year, port operating companies were hit with multi-
million pound demands in business rates as a result of Government
changes to the way they are collected.
Under asystem called "cumulo", port operators have traditionally
paid a rent to landlord Associated British Ports (ABP), which then
paid a sum to the Treasury tocover business rates.
But in 2003, HM Customs & Revenue decided to change to a system
where firms pay an individual rate and, via the Valuation Office
Agency (VOA), ...