§ Lord Harris of Haringeyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to phase in the increases in business rates payable in London following the non-domestic rating revaluation due to take effect in April 2000. [HL3738]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)We fully understand concerns about the revaluation and the need of those likely to be affected to know, as early as possible, how they will be affected. They need time to plan ahead. However, we do not yet have complete information about the detailed effects of the revaluation, and will not do so for a while.
We therefore aim to publish in late September a consultation paper outlining options for handling the impact of revaluation in England. We recognise the need in formulating the proposals for this consultation paper, to take account of the views of those likely to be affected. We are therefore convening a consultative forum of representative national bodies to consider the issue and I expect the first meeting to be later this summer.