AN overhaul of business rates, roads and red tape should top the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement next Wednesday, according to the region’s small businesses.

In its submission to Government in advance of next Wednesday’s announcement of spending priorities, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) called on George Osborne to boost confidence by reforming business rates, taking forward tax simplification, and investing in infrastructure.

With the ending of the doubling of small business rates relief in March, almost half a million small businesses are at risk of returning to paying rates they can ill afford, with thousands more potentially seeing their rates bills double.

With the economic recovery just taking hold and many firms on the High Street still struggling, it is essential that the temporary doubling of relief, announced in the 2013 Autumn Statement speech, is extended, the FSB said.

Ted Salmon, the organisation’s North East Regional Chairman, said: “Businesses want an Autumn Statement that delivers stability and certainty, and provides them with incentives to grow and create employment.

“That means investing in our infrastructure to match the world’s best, whether that be broadband, road, rail or air. Regional connectivity, particularly between our great cities in the North, must be improved if the region is to reach its full potential and challenge the economic prowess of London. We encourage the Chancellor to progress plans to set out how that vision might be fulfilled. Likewise, we would like to see sights set far higher on broadband connectivity to power the UK’s digital economy.

“On taxes, businesses will be looking for measures to ease the cost of business rates, and a commitment to fundamental reform of the current, outdated system.

"To support business growth and reduce costs, further efforts to simplify our complex tax system should also form a central part of the Statement.

“The FSB has also long called for simplified and sharpened business support to match businesses’ growth ambitions. Unfortunately current schemes have not had the impact they should have, which is why the FSB has called for reforms. We are pleased the Government has reviewed the current offer this year, with a view to making it easier to access.

"We now look forward to seeing what progress has been made.”