Roger is lending his support to the campaign to freeze  business rates in 2013.
He said: “I am supporting the campaign calling on the Government to freeze business rates next year. Rates have already risen by over ten per cent in the last two years, and allowing another steep increase in April 2013 would pose a serious threat to investment and job creation”.
He went on to say: “Business rates went up by 4.6 per cent in 2011 and 5.6 per cent in 2012, and they are set to rise by a further 2.6 per cent next April. Imposing a substantial rates hike for the third year running can only lead to more empty shops on high streets and fewer chances of work, especially for young people.”

This article appeared in the December edition of Roger's newsletter 'Postcard from Parliament'