Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the difference between the (a) council‑tax revenue forgone by Westmorland and Furness Council as a result of properties operating as furnished holiday lets and receiving Small Business Rate Relief and (b) Section 31 grant funding provided to that authority to compensate for that relief; and if she will publish the most recent quantified assessment.

The government does not routinely assess the council tax bands that would apply if properties assessed for business rates were instead assessed for council tax and therefore does not have the assessment as requested.

The cost to local authorities of providing small business rate relief is compensated for in full via grant through the business rates retention system, so that authorities do not lose out as a result of provision of this relief.