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Written Question
Business Rates: Rural Areas
Thursday 5th February 2026

Asked by: Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of business rate increases on the rural economy.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This has led to increases in rateable values for some properties, as current values are based on pandemic-era valuations in recognition of the impact of the revaluation on bills.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion, to protect against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills.

Rural Rate Relief also continues to be available for key amenities and community assets in rural areas. It provides 100% rate relief for properties that are based in eligible rural areas with populations below 3,000.


Division Vote (Commons)
3 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 458 Noes - 104
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 28 Jan 2026
Defence Industry: Environmental, Social and Governance Requirements

"It is a pleasure, Ms McVey, to serve with you in the Chair this afternoon, and I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor (Jack Rankin) for securing this important debate.

It is often said—including by my hon. Friend in his opening speech today—that we are living in an …..."

Katie Lam - View Speech

View all Katie Lam (Con - Weald of Kent) contributions to the debate on: Defence Industry: Environmental, Social and Governance Requirements

Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 108
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jan 2026
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill

"The NHS has a deeply unusual set-up when it comes to its workforce. The Government set the rules for who can qualify as a medical professional, decide how many medical training places to offer and control the flow of medical graduates into the NHS. They decide how much to charge …..."
Katie Lam - View Speech

View all Katie Lam (Con - Weald of Kent) contributions to the debate on: Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill

Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 310
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 82 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 378
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Committee - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 310
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Committee - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 82 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 378
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Katie Lam (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 98 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 316 Noes - 194