Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Friday, 4 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Council Tax

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the OBR forecasts published in the answer of 29 June 2026, to Question 11413, on Council tax, table: 4.17 Local authority current expenditure, for what reason business rates retained by local authorities are forecast to fall from £23.3 billion in 2028-29 to £21.0 billion in 2029-30.

Answer: Business rates retained by local authorities are forecast to fall from 2028-29 to 2029-30 in table: 4.17 Local authority current expenditure in the answer to Question 11413 published on 29 June 2026 because a number of region wide enhanced business rates retention arrangements are assumed to end after 2028-29, as announced at Autumn Budget 2025. This includes arrangements for the Greater London Authority, the Liverpool City Region, Cornwall and the West of England which results in lower overall business rates retained by local authorities from 2029-30 onwards. The continuation of these arrangements will be subject to future policy decisions. Arrangements in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are assumed to continue for the entire forecast period as these arrangements are on a longer-term footing.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 20314
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Council Tax
Monday, 29 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Council tax Forecasts Office for Budget Responsibility
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk