Tax hit for cruise companies in Southampton

A trial of the new system in Hull saw some bills being increased by 500%. The revised bills are a result of changes in national legislation that mean organisations with offices on land owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) will be paying business rates on their properties for the first time. Up until now, a single-rate assessment was made for the whole port, with the bill being paid by landlord and factored into firms’ rent. Cruise giant Carnival, which has major operations in Southampton docks, said it was aware of the situation in Hull and was monitoring developments.