Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her planned timetable is for business rate bills to be issued for 2026-27; and what is the timetable for appeals against the new draft valuations published on 25 November 2025.

Local councils are responsible for the timing and issuing of business rates bills, typically these are sent in February or March for the following tax year.

New valuations cannot be formally challenged until they come into force on 1 April 2026. Until then valuations are draft. Ratepayers can let the VOA know now if any of the information used to calculate the valuation is wrong, and if necessary, the valuation will be corrected.