Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to reintroduce the provisions contained in the Local Government Finance Bill 2016-17 for the full retention of business rates by local authorities in England; and if he will make a statement.

We remain committed to giving local government greater control over the money they raise, in line with our manifesto pledge. We will shortly start discussions with local government and business stakeholders about the best way to do this.