§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the likely level of uniform business rate which is to be established in consequence of the measure outlined in the Gracious Speech; and whether he estimates that business ratepayers in Essex and Southend on Sea, respectively, will pay more or less in rates as a direct consequence of the proposed reform.
§ Mr. HowardThe average non-domestic rate poundage in 1987–88 in England is 224.1p. Had a national non-domestic rate been fully introduced this year at that level the rate poundage in Southend would have increased by 1½per cent. In the rest of Essex changes would have ranged from an increase of 5 per cent. in Chelmsford to a reduction of 22 per cent. in Harlow.
These figures do not take into account the effect of the revaluation on non-domestic rates, timed to come into effect in 1990.