§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers are available to local authorities to encourage businesses to move to their areas through the waiving or reduction of business rates; and if he will make a statement. [75008]
§ Ms ArmstrongLocal authorities do not have the power to waive or reduce business rates to attract businesses to their areas. However, we have proposed in the White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People" (July 1998) a measure of local discretion over the business rate, which would allow an authority to grant a rebate to all of its ratepayers, though the cost of that rebate would have to be met by the authority. We shall shortly be issuing a public consultation paper on the details of implementing the White Paper proposals on rates.