Local Government Finance Bill (Ninth sitting)

Steve Double Excerpts

Tuesday 21st February 2017 Public Bill Committees

[Jim McMahon]

There is general consensus; I am not sure why this has become a matter of contention.

[Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)]

You are making it one.

[Jim McMahon]

There is a world of difference in having a property-based system of taxation where regular assessments are carried out to make sure that the valuations placed on properties are relevant to market conditions. We have seen with council tax the way that decision has been ducked for 26 years, and it is right that we make sure that it is kept up on. The principle of a revaluation ought to be supported because it has to reflect the market and property conditions at the most appropriate moment in time. However, the way that is done, its impact and the outcome will be matters for debate. That is the debate that not only I but Conservative Back Benchers are having, and that we read in the papers today. In fact, there is real concern about whether this will get support from the Conservative Benches when it comes before the House.

It is right to challenge whether we should be redrawing the system of business rates within a Bill Committee. Of course we should not be doing that, but neither should we be redrawing it behind closed doors in secret.