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Written question asked by Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative) on Friday, 28 February 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 March 2025. It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Friday, 7 March 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Business Rates

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what mechanisms her Department plans to put in place to help detect (a) fraudulent and (b) incorrect claims for retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief relief in the context of the (i) cash cap and (ii) minimal financial assistance limit; and whether any public body is responsible for cross-local authority checks.

Answer

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief, is the responsibility of local billing authorities. They do so having regard to the guidance published by the government


As the guidance sets out, the government and billing authorities will not tolerate any business falsifying their records or providing false evidence to gain a discount on their business rates bill, including claiming support above the cash cap. Local authorities have powers to combat fraud, and any ratepayer who falsely applies for any relief, or who provides false information or makes false representation to gain relief, may be guilty of fraud under the Fraud Act 2006. The government is committed to making further progress to tackle business rates avoidance, in line with the ambitions of Transforming Business Rates.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
34619
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Fraud Leisure Business rates Retail trade Hospitality industry
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk