§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures comparing increases in local authority (a) domestic rates and (b) business rates, including water rates, with movements in the retail price index for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. KingThe available information is as follows. Water charges have not been included because these are now separate from local authorities' rates and are levied and collected by separate bodies.
Year on year movements in domestic and business rates and retail prices 1970–71 to 1980–81: England and Wales Domestic rate Bills (net of rate rebates and domestic relief) Business rate Bills Retail Price Index (United Kingdom) per cent. per cent. per cent. 1971–72 on 1970–71 16 15 9 1972–73 on 1971–72 12 12 7 1973–74 on 1972–73* –2 7 10 1974–75 on 1973–74† 19 41 18 1975–76 on 1974–75 23 31 25 1976–77 on 1975–76‡ 9 6 15 1977–78 on 1976–77 16 11 14 1978–79 on 1977–78 11 7 8 1979–80 on 1978–79 19 15 16 1980–81 on 1979–80|| 27 25 16 * 1973–74 was the first year after the 1973 revaluation. † 1974–75 was the first year after the local government reorganisation. ‡ 1976–77 was the first year after domestic rate relief was increased to 18½p in England and 36p in Wales. || Estimates.