HC Deb 22 February 1989 vol 147 cc685-6W
36. Mr. Burt

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect on businesses in Manchester of the introduction of the unified business rate.

Mr. Gummer

The report of a preliminary survey carried out by the Inland Revenue of the effects of the uniform business rate and the 1990 revaluation of business property, which is available in the Library, suggests that rate bills for businesses in the north west region could fall by some £310 million a year once the transition to the new system is complete. Proposals for the transition were announced by my right hon. Friend on 15 February. Separate figures for Manchester are not available. However, if the uniform business rate were introduced today, the effect would be to reduce the rate poundage paid by businesses in Manchester by 27 per cent.

43. Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect on business costs in Newcastle upon Tyne of the introduction of the unified business rate.

Mr. Gummer

The report of a preliminary survey carried out by the Inland Revenue of the effects of the uniform business rate and the 1990 revaluation of business property, which is available in the Library, suggests that rate bills for businesses in the northern region could fall by some £50 million a year once the transition to the new system is complete. Proposals for the transition were announced by my right hon. Friend on 15 February. Separate figures for Newcastle upon Tyne are not available. However, if the uniform business rate were introduced today, the effect would be to reduce the rate poundage paid by businesses in Newcastle upon Tyne by 21 per cent.

53. Mr. Greg Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect on business costs in Derbyshire of the introduction of the unified business rate.

Mr. Gummer

The report of a preliminary survey carried out by the Inland Revenue of the effects of the uniform business rate and the 1990 revaluation of business property, which is available in the Library, suggests that rate bills for businesses in the east midlands region could fall by some £130 million a year once the transition to the new system is complete. Proposals for the transition were announced by my right hon. Friend on 15 February. Separate figures for Derbyshire are not available. However, if the uniform business rate were introduced today, the effect would be to reduce the rate poundage paid by businesses in Derbyshire by between 25 and 31 per cent. depending on the district council area concerned.