Extract from second reading (Commons) of the Local Government Finance Bill - Jan 23
Tuesday, 24 January 2017 07:55
Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op):...The Bill raises more
questions than it answers. For example, how will Ministers handle
the business rates income of a local authority that benefits from a
major national Government decision, such as to expand Heathrow or
to build a high-speed rail terminus in its authority area? The
business rates of Hillingdon Council, which neighbours my council,
have always benefited from Heathrow. Westminster
Council similarly benefits considerably...Request free trial
Mr (Harrow West)
(Lab/Co-op):...The Bill raises more questions than it
answers. For example, how will Ministers handle the business rates
income of a local authority that benefits from a major national
Government decision, such as to expand Heathrow or to build a
high-speed rail terminus in its authority area? The business rates
of Hillingdon Council, which neighbours my council, have always
benefited from Heathrow. Westminster Council similarly benefits
considerably from business rates income that arises because of its
fortunate proximity to major national assets. In such cases, how
will some of the inevitable growth in business rates income, which
will have little, if anything, to do with council policy, be
redistributed to help authorities that do not benefit from such big
advantages? Ironically, although Hillingdon Council has opposed the
expansion of Heathrow, it stands to benefit significantly from
business rates growth while doing nothing at all to help to
generate it...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
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