§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce legislative proposals to extend the mandatory rate relief scheme for village shops to(a) small food shops, (b) pubs and (c) petrol filling stations. [18789]
§ Alun MichaelThe village shop rate relief scheme was extended to include pubs and petrol stations in April 2001. Under the scheme, the sole village pub or petrol station with a rateable value of £9,000 or less in a qualifying settlement, is eligible to receive 50 per cent. rate relief from central Government. Local authorities have the power to top the relief up to 100 per cent.
In August, a rate relief scheme for farm diversification and village food shops was introduced. Under the scheme, mandatory 50 per cent. rate relief will be provided to all food shops with a rateable value below £6,000 in designated villages of less than 3,000 population. 1095W Councils still have the discretion to give up to 100 per cent. relief to any business in a settlement which is eligible for the rate relief scheme with a rateable value below £12,000.