Earlier this year chancellor Phillip Hammond announced a £300 million national relief fund to offset the planned hikes, £124 million of which was allocated to London’s local councils.
However the Federation of Small Businesses claims only a third of boroughs have published details of their local relief schemes and suggests that none have yet applied the reductions to business rates bills.
The body has written to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid urging him “to get a grip on the situation” and direct councils to speed up their efforts and ensure businesses get the promised help.
Sue Terpilowski OBE, FSB London Policy Chair, said: “Small businesses in the capital are not benefitting from the discretionary pot.
“We are urging the Secretary of State to write to all Councils and for the Mayor of London to put similar pressure on London Councils to get this funding out of the door as many have seen punishing increases in their business rates bills this year.
“This shambolic delay means some small businesses are being left with no choice but to delay investment, avoid taking on staff or even close their doors, while they are waiting for this assistance.”
