Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Seema Malhotra and Mark Prisk

Monday 4th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

We have scrapped Labour’s red tape so that councils can be far more flexible about the way in which car parking charges and associated rules work. That will enable more people to be attracted into excellent towns such as Crediton in my hon. Friend’s constituency. Again, I urge councils to be more innovative in how they manage to make their charges for parking. I have seen a number of instances where simple changes can make a real difference to our local high streets.

[Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op)]

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said:

“The decision by Government to delay revaluation until 2017 is a real shot in the foot for the retail industry”.

Does the Minister agree?

[Mr Prisk]

No, I do not agree. As I have said to the British Property Federation on several occasions, we looked very carefully at the valuation office evidence that was presented to us. What it showed was that for every three businesses that might gain, eight could lose—including, potentially, a loss of £100 million to retailing in London. That is why we have taken what I think is the correct decision to defer that revaluation until 2017.