Vince Cable is urging George Osborne to extend the business rate relief as retailers face an estimated rise of 2.6% in rates next month, which will add £175m to shopkeepers’ bills. Mr Cable, pointing to several retail collapses this year with the loss of 10,000 jobs, says more needs to be done. He has called on colleagues to examine whether the Government can shake up the business rate regime to help high streets operators survive. One option, according to the FT, could be a higher levy on out-of-town shopping centres.

See: Financial Times, 12/o3/13