Business rates
Rates pilots fuelling fears of two-speed ‘unfair’ approach
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) has warned the Government’s approach to the business rates retention pilots risks fuelling fears of a ‘two-speed and unfair approach’.
Councils warned slow business rates revisions ‘unacceptable’
Fewer than half of all billing authorities in England have issued revised business rate bills following the introduction of a £300m discretionary relief package, government figures have shown.
Javid considers gradual introduction of 100% rates retention
The move to 100% business rates retention could happen gradually, communities secretary Sajid Javid has revealed.
Anger over VOA appeals ‘disarray’
The Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) new business rates appeals process is in ‘disarray,’ council finance chiefs have claimed after further delays were confirmed.
County support for rates retention drops
Sector support for 100% business rates retention is waning after the County Councils’ Network (CCN) found it could worsen the financial plight of its members.
Business rates appeals process in 'disarray'
The Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) new business rates appeals process is in ‘disarray,’ council finance chiefs have claimed after further delays were confirmed.
Officers back call for extra cash from rates retention
Senior officers have backed Local Government Association (LGA) calls for any extra cash from 100% business rates retention (BRR) to be used to plug existing funding gaps.
Andrew Gwynne: We need a DCLG that will fight for the sector
As the Labour conference gathers in Brighton, Shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne talks to Dan Peters about devolution, fiscal change, and his hope to represent the sector in a far more positive light.
Scots welcome ALEOs decision
Scottish councils have welcomed government plans to give ‘further consideration’ to proposals to remove charitable business rates relief from local authorities’ arm’s-length external leisure organisations (ALEOs).
‘Whitehall is committed to full rates retention’
Local government minister Marcus Jones has insisted the Government is ‘still fully committed to proceeding with’ business rates retention.
Javid’s renewed rally for devo
Communities secretary Sajid Javid has urged council leaders to ‘put the party politics aside’ for the sake of devolution.
Name and shame threat hangs over councils
Councils that fail to get business rates relief schemes in place by the beginning of next month could be named and shamed by the Government.
Jones: Government fully committed to rates retention
Local government minister Marcus Jones has insisted the Government is ‘still fully committed to proceeding with’ business rates retention.
IFS: How views of local government finance vary across councils
David Phillips looks analyses the results of the IFS's latest business rates report.
Will 100% business rates deliver benefits?
Fresh analysis questions whether 100% business rates retention would actually benefit councils. Michael Burton reports.
EXCLUSIVE: Sir Vince backs more council borrowing powers
Ahead of his first Liberal Democrat conference as party leader, Sir Vince Cable tells Michael Burton why local government should play a key role in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.
Give councils the full fiscal tools to do the job
Relying on business rates alone to replace RSG will require a heck of a lot of redistribution to compensate poorer areas, writes Michael Burton.
LGA tells Javid where he must spend extra rates cash
The Local Government Association (LGA) has told communities secretary Sajid Javid how it thinks extra money from business rates should be spent.
IFS study casts doubt over backing for 100% business rate retention
Senior councillors and directors have expressed scepticism that 100% business rates retention will bring benefits, according to analysis from the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
Pilots fail to soothe rates uncertainty
A lack of clarity on 100% business rates retention is fuelling growing concerns as resources get ever tighter.