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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of small firms and shops in (a) England and (b) Thurrock which will have a reduction in business rates in 2015-16.

I refer my hon. Friend to my earlier answer at oral questions today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Mid Derbyshire (Pauline Latham), PQ 906620.

Our retail relief is benefitting 450 businesses in Thurrock and Small Business Rate Relief is benefiting 950 businesses.

Our rates retention scheme gives authorities a strong growth incentive. Councils benefit from nearly £11 billion under the scheme.