A PACKAGE of measures aimed at those affected by the foot and mouth crisis was announced by the Government's Rural Task Force leader Michael Meacher on Tuesday. The measures include help through:
l the rates system, including enhanced discretionary and mandatory rate relief
l the tax system, including deferment of tax and national insurance payments
l extended arrangements for time to pay
l a national small business advice helpline
l making DSS procedures as fast and flexible as possible
l increasing government support for the Rural Stress Network
l matching donations made by the voluntary sector
West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett welcomed the package — but said it was 'short on detail'.
'Will this deferment of tax and national insurance contributions be interest-free, and for how long will they be deferred? As far as rate relief is concerned, we are not sure if all or which businesses will qualify.
'I have asked the minister for another statement as soon as possible, to put flesh on the bare bones of his first statement,' he said.