THERE has been widespread speculation that the shake up in business rates will see businesses hit with punitive increases. Some critics fear these changes ill leave most small shops, businesses and nursing homes bankrupt.

The savage increases will do nothing to help shop owners or the likes of many in the service industry maintain staff, meaning a flood of unemployment and empty premises blighting the high street even further.

Many readers of this newspaper may not know but business rates are in fact a tax on business.

Every business has to pay them depending upon the total area of the business used.

But, in exchange for such tax the business owner gets nothing in return.

By way of an example a business in office accommodation on the Aycliffe Business Park not only pays rent but also a service charge and business rates. I know of one businessman who pays £56,000 with all of the above included.

His business rates amount to £1,756 per month.

For this you do not even get a rubbish bin emptied.

Every single business should be writing to local MPs demanding a rethink of such a scandal that is about to hit every business in the region.

John Merry, Darlington