§ Mr. James HillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he is making to introduce modifications to the uniform business rate to help small business.
§ Mr. Robin SquireAs announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement on 16 March, we propose in 1993–94 to freeze in real terms the rates bills of those ratepayers whose bills would otherwise increase under the transitional arrangements. This change is worth £320 million to businesses in 1993–94 and £220 million in 1994–95. It follows the £1.25 billion package which the, Government announced last year to relieve the burden of rates on businesses, many of which will see reductions in their rate bills in 1993–94 as their remaining gains from the 1990 reforms come through.