Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 22 of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) Business Plan 2017-19, what estimate he has made of the reduction in the number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the VOA over the spending review period.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) Business Plan for 2017-19 estimated a reduction of approximately 1000 full-time equivalent staff by 2019-20.

The Chancellor’s 2018 Spring Statement announced the bringing forward of the business rates revaluation to 2021 and triennial revaluations going forward.

The VOA are currently reviewing the requirements needed to meet these commitments.