Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of List and Appeals) (England) Bill - Amendment 4

I support the amendment as it seeks to abolish liability to non-domestic rates for advertising. This will be beneficial for businesses and could stimulate economic growth by reducing regulatory costs.

She expresses concerns about additional burdens on small businesses due to intensified reporting requirements. She highlights that local government is already operating with reduced resources and that new administrative burdens need addressing. The Bill lacks detail on how new reliefs will be implemented and compensated for by local authorities.

She supports amendments and new clauses to improve the Bill, which she believes is not ambitious enough in fundamentally reforming an outdated tax system. She highlights concerns about the three-year gap between revaluations and suggests annual revaluations as a solution. She also argues against unnecessary red tape for small businesses imposed by the Bill.

The Bill aims to modernise business rates through more frequent revaluations, digital data collection, and reliefs for property improvements. It offers nearly £14 billion in taxpayer subsidies this year. The Minister agrees with the general direction of amendments 13 and 14 but argues that full relief undermines broader valuations and could lead to higher taxes elsewhere.

Supports reform towards annual valuations, digitalisation, and streamlining processes. Acknowledges the Bill's progress but seeks further improvements in future legislation. Seeks to withdraw amendment due to insufficient progress.

Argues for annual revaluation similar to the Netherlands, criticises the current proposal as not going far enough. Highlights concerns about small businesses and warns of potential tax increases from reduced business rate income.

Ms Owen argued that the Government missed an opportunity to provide long-term support for businesses, instead offering short-term fixes. She highlighted concerns from small businesses about administrative burdens and potential penalties, including imprisonment. The Federation of Small Businesses echoed these concerns. Ms Owen emphasised Labour's plan to scrap the current business rates system entirely and replace it with a fairer one that ensures tech giants pay their due taxes while supporting physical retailers. She proposed raising the threshold for small business rates relief to £25,000, which would save high streets over £1 billion. Ms Owen also celebrated local entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the community.