Member News
Local authorities are to gain the power to levy a local supplement to the business rate and retain the proceeds for economic development under the provisions of the Business Rate Supplements Act.
The legislation, not mentioned in the Queen’s speech, follows public debate on reform to business rates in England and the conclusions of the Lyons inquiry into local government. In 2007 ministers published the business rates supplement white paper and the review of sub-national economic development and regeneration alongside the comprehensive spending review.
The provisions of the Bill would enable local authorities that wish to levy the first supplements to do so by April 2010.
Authorities will be able to set a supplement on the current national business rate of up to 2p per pound of rateable value. The Act makes provision to exempt business properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less.
Progress
House of Commons
First reading: December 4 2008 [HC Bill 2]
Second reading: January 12 2009
Business Rate Supplements Bill Committee:
- 1st sitting: January 20 2009 (am)
- 2nd sitting: January 20 2009 (pm)
- 3rd sitting: January 22 2009
- 4th sitting: January 27 2009 (am)
- 5th sitting: January 27 2009 (pm)
- 6th sitting: January 29 2009
- 7th sitting: February 3 2009
Third reading: March 11 2009
House of Lords
First reading: March 12 2009 [HL Bill 30]
Second reading: April 22 2009
Grand Committee stage:
- 1st sitting: May 11 2009
- 2nd sitting: May 18 2009
- Bill as amended in committee: [HL Bill 47]
Report stage:
- 1st day: June 8 2009
- 2nd day: June 9 2009
- Bill as amended on report: June 10 2009 [HL Bill 51]
Third reading: June 16 2009
Consideration of Lords amendments: June 17 2009 [HC Bill 116]
Consideration of Commons amendments: June 29 2009 [HL Bill 55]
Royal Assent: July 2 2009
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd