Oral Answers to Questions

David Burrowes Excerpts

Monday 5th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op)]

1. What plans he has to localise national non-domestic rates; and if he will make a statement.

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

3. What the timetable is for the implementation of local retention of business rates.

[Esther McVey (Wirral West) (Con)]

6. What the timetable is for the implementation of local retention of business rates.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Pickles]

Had the provisions been in place over the past few years, Liverpool would have done particularly well out of the system. I am confident that the leadership of Liverpool will respond to this, because it puts Liverpool very much in the driving seat. My opinion is that Liverpool is an extremely good place to invest.

[Mr Burrowes]

Following the riots, the viability of high streets is a priority. For my local shops, the priority is reform of business rates, which they see as too high and lacking any real connection with local services and local decision makers. Can the Minister hasten the day when business rates are not an issue for his Department?

[Mr Pickles]

I certainly hope so. We recognise the burden of rates on small businesses. That is why we are doubling small business rate relief until the end of September 2012. Approximately a third of a million business rate payers, including small shopkeepers, will pay no rates at all for this period, and through the Localism Bill we are giving authorities powers to grant business rates discounts as they see fit.