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Rating and Valuation
04 February 2020
Lead MP
Jesse Norman
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Jesse Norman raised concerns about rating and valuation in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The order changes the annual inflationary increase in business rates from the Retail Prices Index to the lower Consumer Prices Index for financial year 2020-21, estimated to reduce costs by £6 billion over five years. The standard multiplier will be reduced from 51.6p to 51.2p and the small business multiplier from 50.3p to 49.9p. It also extends retail discounts to independent cinemas and grassroots music venues, providing a pub discount for pubs with rateable values under £100,000.
Anneliese Dodds
Lab Co-op
Oxford East
Supports the order but questions the continued use of RPI and the lack of clarity on a fundamental review of business rates. Probes into the proportion of rateable businesses covered by discounts, the scope of the upcoming review, and concerns about local government funding settlement's real-terms cut.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
In her maiden speech, Paula Barker paid tribute to her predecessor and the importance of mental health issues. She expressed pride in representing Liverpool's diverse communities and pledged to advocate for a fairer economic system. She criticised Conservative austerity policies and highlighted the funding reduction faced by Liverpool City Council. She also emphasised the role of trade unions and the need for devolution that respects local autonomy.
Jesse Norman
Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
Responding to the Labour Front-Bench questions, Jesse Norman explained the government's approach to using RPI versus CPI for uprating business rates. He also addressed questions on thresholds, reviews, and local government funding. He congratulated Paula Barker on her maiden speech and acknowledged past Conservative support for Liverpool.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Maskell raised a point of order regarding the management of information during a public health scare involving coronavirus. She questioned the accuracy of communications provided by the Government and sought clarity on whether the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care would make further statements to address these concerns.
Winterton responded to Maskell's point of order, noting that Ministers are responsible for accurate information given in the Chamber. She clarified that she had not heard of any intention by Ministers to make further statements on this matter.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.