Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of changes to business rates on high street activity; and if he will further review eligibility for non-residential business rate relief.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Government recognises the challenges being faced by our high streets, and in response announced the retail discount at Budget 2018, and provided eligible retailers with a third off their bills from April 2019. In addition, the Government has also announced a £1 billion Future High Streets Fund, part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, to re-energise local economies.
In an exceptional response to the coronavirus, the Government has increased the retail discount to 100 per cent and expanded it to include hospitality and leisure properties, such as museums, theatres, gyms and hotels.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the criteria upon which high street shops were determined to be eligible for rate relief.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The Government published updated guidance to local authorities on the application of the retail discount for 2020-21, on 27 January 2020 which can be found at:
The guidance sets out the relevant criteria to enable local authorities to determine which high street properties are eligible for the discount.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reasons adult gaming centres are excluded from high street rate relief.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The guidance for local authorities on application of the business rates retail discount sets out the types of property use that the Government considers to be retail use for the purposes of the discount. While the guidance does not specifically refer to adult gaming centres, it lists a range of service provision uses that the Government does not consider to be retail use, including betting shops. As set out in the guidance it is for local authorities to determine whether particular properties are broadly similar in nature to those specifically excluded by the guidance and, if so, to consider them not eligible for the relief under their local scheme.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals in respect of the non-domestic rating of public lavatories.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The Government recognises that local authority owned public toilets are valuable community amenities. However, primary legislation would be required to provide business rates relief for public toilets owned by principal local authorities and parish councils, as such bodies cannot currently have their rates bills reduced through reliefs. The Non-Domestic Rating (Lavatories) Bill, which would have resolved this matter, fell when Parliament was dissolved. The Government will consider reintroducing the measure in due course.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the timeframe is for the coming into force of the provisions of the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The government is committed to developing and implementing the Code of Practice as soon as possible. We are currently considering the options for the delivery of the Code and the design of the levy on industry, as well as the format for stakeholder engagement. We will make an announcement in due course. We are also committed to carrying out a public consultation on the draft Code of Practice, allowing all interested parties to directly respond to the proposals.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - North Thanet)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the proposed entry level exception site policy on rural occupation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Government has consulted on a proposed entry level exception site policy as part of the draft National Planning Policy Framework. This consultation closed on 10 May and responses have been assessed. The new National Planning Policy Framework and the Government’s response will be published shortly.