More than half of councils say businesses are struggling to meet their rates bills because of the economic downturn. A snapshot survey published by the Local Government Association, also shows that one in three councils has reported an increase in the uptake of Small Business Rate Relief.
Councils collect business rates but the money is then sent to the Government for redistribution to local authorities. 

The Government is to put five million pounds into promoting new ways to encourage communities to take part in the planning process. Under the scheme individual local authorities could get additional funding to strengthen the way they carry out consultations.
The Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, said planning was already one of the most democratic processes with most decisions being taken by elected local councillors. 

By Mark Stephens, Janet Ford, Peter Spencer, Alison Wallace, Steve Wilcox and Peter Williams
Written against a background of turmoil in the mortgage markets and the onset of a falling off in house prices across the UK, the authors examine the changing landscape of owner-occupation and what lessons can be learned from past experiences that could inform the current period of instability.