"Most businesses pay the rates that are due, but a minority abuse the system to reduce their bills or avoid paying altogether. This imposes an unfair burden on the majority and prevents funding reaching local services. This Government will not tolerate tax avoidance and are committed to taking the necessary …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"I accept that point. We have just introduced something to look at the impact we could have on shops that do not have any social responsibility, such as vape shops, through additional rates, et cetera, so that we can invest in shops in those communities that do a really good …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"As I mentioned in answer to my noble friend Lord McCabe, the Government are looking seriously at this. We laid out our plans in the Finance Act 2026 earlier this year. We realise that the issues raised by the noble Baroness need to be taken into consideration, so a lot …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"We are talking about snails, so I do not know how quickly we will act on this. I will look into this and write to my noble friend...." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"I do not know the figure off the top of my head, but I can look into it and write to the noble Baroness with the answer...." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"We know that quite a few scams are going on. The industry—if I can call it that—has a very good way of evolving, changing and adapting, which is why we do not want to make any policy decisions prior to the Budget. They morph into other kinds of entity, and …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"My noble friend raises an important point on tax avoidance with business rates. There has been coverage of some of the most egregious instances of business rate avoidance over recent years, including the use of snail farms and prayer rooms. A recent court case, which my noble friend referred to, …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"I thank my noble friend for his question. While they do not apply to business rates, additional criminal sanctions were introduced in the Finance Act 2026 that will enhance the deterrent against the promotion of tax avoidance and increase protection against harm caused to the Exchequer, the taxpayer and the …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"I kindly say to the noble Lord that, at the last Budget, the Valuation Office announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. In recognition of the impact of the revaluation on bills, the Government have introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion to protect against ratepayers seeing large overnight …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"I accept what the noble Baroness is saying. The Government are committed to consulting on a general anti-avoidance rule, covering all local authorities. There is something similar in Scotland and Wales, and the Government are seriously looking at it. I will leave the question of when it will happen to …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech