Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations his Department has had from (a) local authorities, (b) local councillors and (c) others on the 100 per cent business rates retention policy.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has been closely collaborating with stakeholders from across local government and business on the current business rates retention scheme and future direction of policy in this area.

Departmental officials have had meetings with representatives from authorities which are currently piloting 100 per cent business rates retention.

In addition to this, the Department has received over 220 responses from local authorities, local councillors and local government and business stakeholder groups on the ‘Further Consultation on 100% Business Rates Retention’, published in February 2017. The Department is currently analysing these responses and will discuss with local government representatives the best way forward.