BVA calls on government for business rates relief
Veterinary practices are not currently eligible for business rates relief.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on the government to relieve struggling practices of business rates, warning that many may not be able to survive the pandemic unless financial support is made available.
Earlier this month, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors are eligible for a 100 per cent business rates holiday for a year.
But veterinary practices are not currently eligible for this relief. This is even though many are high street businesses, and that a large proportion of their income comes from the sale of treatments, medicines and other pet products.
The BVA says that it has received reports from hundreds of its members who now fear for their future. Indeed, a recent BVA survey revealed that 66 per cent of practices have seen their weekly turnover fall by more than half during the pandemic.
In light of this, the Association has written to the Treasury and devolved government departments to ask why the veterinary profession has so far been overlooked for financial support.
“The government has repeatedly given thanks to vets for continuing to maintain animal health and welfare and public health and support the food supply chain in these challenging times. But that makes it all the more disappointing that the profession’s pleas for financial support so far seem to have fallen on deaf ears,” said BVA president, Daniella Dos Santos.
“Veterinary practices are rightly remaining open to provide 24/7 essential care and fulfilling their duty to maintain animal health and welfare, but many are struggling to stay afloat as they grapple with dramatic reductions in turnover and scaling back their rotas to keep colleagues and clients safe.”
Support has already been received from a wide cross-section of regions and parties, including Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, who has also tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion recognising the value of vets and pushing for the profession to be given access to business rates relief.
“It’s been really heartening to see that parliamentarians across the political spectrum value their local vets’ role in their communities and have offered to put pressure on the Treasury and devolved governments to give practices access to vital financial support,” Ms Santos continued.
“We hope that such a strong and united call will be answered soon, and will continue to urge government to help practices to continue their valuable work in these difficult times.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
