Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Philip Hollobone (Conservative). It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Non-Domestic Rate (Small Businesses)

Question: What assessment she has made of the effects of the transitional arrangements for the national non-domestic rate on small businesses in (a) London and (b) Northamptonshire in 2009-10.

Answer: No formal consideration is made of the effect of the transitional relief scheme in each financial year, but the Government are aware of the impact that large increases in business rate bills can have on all businesses when the transitional rate relief comes to an end. That is why we are allowing businesses to defer, over two years, 60 per cent. of the increase in their business rates bill for 2009-10 caused by the ending of transitional relief. That is in addition to allowing the deferral of 60 per cent. of the increase caused by the annual inflation adjustment.

Secondary information