The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill)
Since the day we came into Government, we have been committed to finding a solution to the “ports tax”—the unfair backdated rates bills incurred by some businesses.
We announced in June that we would waive these backdated bills which businesses were telling us threatened jobs, investment and in some cases their solvency. However, we were clear that the waiver would require primary legislation.
I am today announcing that the Government intend to include in the forthcoming localism Bill, the necessary provisions to cancel certain significant and unexpected backdated business rates bills. This will allow affected businesses, in ports and others across England, to move forward confidently, unburdened by the crippling debt imposed by this liability.