Chief whip Nick Brown has thrown his weight behind calls to reinstate empty property rates relief – in direct contrast to the message from business minister Lord Mandelson and the tax’s architect, local government minister John Healey.

Jennifer Rigby, Property Week – 18 Nov 08

Brown slammed the tax as ‘destructive’ and hinted that exemption in some areas may be granted.

A week ago, Lord Mandelson called the tax ‘good for business’, but MPs’ rebellion over the tax – more than 120 have signed commons motions against the tax – could force the government into a u-turn.

MPs are now hoping that there will be some element of relief introduced at next week’s pre budget report following their campaign and the Property Week and British Property Federation’s campaigns against the tax. Full Article