§ Mr. Richard ShepherdTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the actual percentage increase in business rates payable will be for businesses with rateable values of(a) over £15,000 and (b) under £15,000 for 1990–91 over 1989–90.
§ Mr. ChopeI have been asked to reply.
The information is not available in the form requested. However, for properties with new rateable values of £15,000 or more in Greater London and £10,000 or more elsewhere (the thresholds defining large properties under the business rate transitional scheme) the average percentage increase in rates bills in 1990–91 over 1989–90 is expected to be 8.8 per cent. The equivalent percentage for properties with rateable values below those thresholds is 4.4 per cent. Both these figures allow for the effect of inflation between the two years.