Oral Answers to Questions

Luciana Berger Excerpts

Monday 5th September 2011 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[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.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)]

The Government have published proposals to allow local retention of business rates and are seeking views by 24 October. The plans give councils a strong financial incentive to drive economic growth, as well as providing protections for places in need of additional support. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we intend to introduce business rates retention by April 2013.

[Luciana Berger]

There is significant concern in cities such as Liverpool that councils will lose money after the first year if they cannot adjust quickly enough to the changes. We have had reassurances from Ministers that councils will get that support in the first year, but will the Secretary of State guarantee that they will get that additional support in years 2, 3 and 4?

[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.