Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jane Ellison and Catherine McKinnell

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) (Lab)]

Changes to the rateable value for solar panels for organisations mean that business rates for organisations with solar rooftop installations, such as schools, hospitals and SMEs, could increase dramatically—six to eightfold—in April. Do the Government recognise the huge damage that this will cause to organisations that have installed panels in good faith, as well as the solar panel industry?

[Jane Ellison]

The installation of solar panels is only one of the factors that determines the rateable value. That said, a £3.4 billion transitional relief scheme will support businesses facing an increase in business rate bills, while businesses with solar panels will also benefit from the £6.7 billion package—the biggest ever—to reduce business rates.