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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the criteria used to determine the increase in rateable value as regards business rates in the recent rates revaluation.

Business rates are based on valuations from the Valuation Office Agency and we do not intervene in their independent assessments. Rateable values are assessed to consistent standards and generally reflect the open market rental value of the property. And it is for the Valuation Office Agency to decide how to apply these standards to the circumstances of each property. A £3.6 billion transitional relief scheme will provide support for the minority who do face an increase.