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Written question asked by Baroness Rebuck (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 October 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 October 2017. It was answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative) on Monday, 30 October 2017 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Bookshops: Non-domestic Rates

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many bookshops have lost small business rate relief or rural rate relief as a result of the 2017 business rate revaluation; and, beyond the scheme to cap the annual bill increase for any ratepayer losing these reliefs, what plans they have to protect small bookshops from closure.

Answer

DCLG does not hold data specifically on the impact of the revaluation on bookshops. However, the Government has taken action to support small business; it put in place a £3.6 billion package of transitional relief and permanently doubled small business rate relief meaning 600,000 small businesses will pay no business rates at all. The Government also doubled the level of rural rate relief from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for eligible businesses

In addition, at the Spring Budget the Government announced a £110 million of support to help ratepayers losing small business rates relief and rural rate relief – this will ensure increases in their bills this year capped at £600. It also included a £300 million discretionary relief fund for local authorities to design their own schemes. Subject to meeting the criteria for local discretionary schemes, bookshops may be eligible for support from this fund.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2143
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Business rates Tax allowances Valuation Bookshops
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk