§ The Earl of Onslowasked Her Majesty's Government:
By how much they expect business rate bills to rise in 1991–92.
§ Baroness BlatchIn 1991–92, 20 per cent. of businesses will still be gaining from the revaluation and introduction of the UBR in cash and real terms. Around 45 per cent. of businesses will have reached their full new rate bill and will face no further real terms increases. The remaining 35 per cent. of businesses, will still be benefiting from the transitional arrangements which were introduced when the new system came into effect on 1st April 1990. Of these, only one fifth (that is, 7 per cent of all businesses) will face the maximum transitional increase of 20 per cent. in real terms. These figures compare very favourably to the old system where, between 1979–80 and 1989–90, locally set non-domestic rate poundages rose nationally by an average of 37.4 per cent. in real terms.