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Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill 2024-25

The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill 2024-25 was introduced into the House of Commons on 13 November 2024. The bill’s Second Reading took place on Monday 25 November. Committee Stage, including oral evidence sessions, took place on 11 and 12 December 2024. The bill was not amended at Committee Stage. Report and Third Reading are scheduled for 15 January 2025.

The bill, its explanatory notes and other associated documents can be found on the Parliamentary website.

The bill permits the Treasury to establish up to two new multipliers that are lower than the standard multiplier and apply to retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These can be a maximum of 20p in the pound lower than the small business multiplier. The bill also permits the Treasury to establish one or more new multipliers that are higher than the standard multiplier, but no more than 10p in the pound higher. Higher multipliers can only be applied to properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more.

Second, the bill will remove charitable rate relief from private schools that are charities. This policy commitment runs alongside the government’s (higher-profile) commitment to impose VAT on fees for most private schools.

The government has also published Explanatory Notes for the bill; a delegated legislation memorandum; an impact note; and a memorandum for the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Business rates are devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Bill’s provisions extend to England and Wales, but will have effect only in England.