British lawmakers urge variable tax plan

LONDON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A bipartisan committee of British lawmakers called on government to give local authorities the power to raise extra business taxes for certain projects.

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee report said allowing local councils to vary business rates for specific transportation and infrastructure projects would be a "positive step toward financial devolution," The Independent reported Tuesday.

The proposal for local supplementary business rates was proposed earlier this year during a hearing on the future of local government funding.

Currently, businesses pay local taxes through a uniform business rate. But in his report, lawmaker Michael Lyons recommended a supplementary business rate to allow councils to levy an extra charge, which would be capped, to fund approved projects.

The committee report also stressed the need for government to establish parameters to protect local businesses and support local economic environments, the newspaper said.