Speeches by Simmonds.

“Q I want to ask about the impact of the multiplier and the discretion around it. One of the things that we are all well aware of is that local authorities, in particular, are very big customers of hotels. They are particularly in search of temporary accommodation, which is especially significant at this time of year. T…”

“Q May I follow up with a further question, specifically on pubs and hotels? We are aware that the nature of those premises often does not lend them to easy conversion into another business use, unlike a lot of retail shops, for example, which could change between offices and use by different kinds of businesses. Mr Alt…”

“Q Thank you, Dr Huq. Welcome to both of our witnesses. We are aware, as a Committee, that the sector you represent is very significant in the UK economy. Would you be able to give us an indication of how you assess the impact of the measures in the Bill on the businesses and organisations that you represent? Kate Nicho…”

“Q Thank you very much. There has been an extensive debate about VAT, although that is outside of the scope of this Bill. We have spent a good deal of time debating the impact on special educational needs schools, a significant proportion of which are in the private sector. Some are paid for directly through fees charge…”

“In this sitting, the evidence has so far covered both private schools and high streets. You are a tax and accountancy specialist, so you have a broad overview. Is that correct? Dr James: Yes. The vast majority of private schools are charitable institutions; as such, they have no owners. Therefore the effect of tax will…”

“Q57 Welcome, Dr James. May I start by asking for your view of the impact the Bill, particularly with reference to high streets? Dr James: With reference to the private schools?”

“Q Clearly, the Bill has wide-ranging impact across different types of property, but I ask this witness to give us a sense—from the perspective of the British Property Federation, which I understand to be largely about the transactions that sit behind property—of what you perceive to be the impact of the measures of the…”

“Q I know your organisation has had a long-standing interest in the reform of business rates. Given the background, can you start by telling us your perspective on how far the Bill goes to address concerns that you have had and the calls that you have made for that reform to take place? Stuart Adam: It basically does no…”

“Q We have heard some evidence on appeals and the decisions that will arise from this. Clearly, there is a degree of uncertainty because, if we do not yet know what the multipliers are, businesses cannot plan for that. Do you have a view about whether the current system is fit for purpose to address what may arise? If n…”

“Q Welcome and thank you both for your time today. Your organisation has been quite vocal about the need for this legislation to introduce a retail rates corrector as a means of addressing some of the imbalances. Would you share with the Committee your views about whether anything in the Bill helps to address those conc…”

“Q May I ask specifically what your view is on small business rate relief? Edward Woodall: Small business rate relief is incredibly important for our membership as it helps the very smallest businesses to get relief. It also has some very specific features. It is automatically applied, and there are tapers between £12,0…”

“Q Welcome, Mr Woodall, and thank you for your willingness to give evidence. Can you set out your view of the overall impact, both financial and administrative, that the Bill will have on your members? More specifically, can you give us a sense of how many of your member stores share premises or host other things such a…”

“Q You mentioned the overall impact of this measure alongside national insurance contributions changes and other things, which you analysed, and you said that that would be a significant consideration in your coming to a view on the impact of the Bill. What is your view on the overall impact? You said that you felt that…”

“Q A number of Members have mentioned their relationship with the Co-operative party, so I wanted to clarify one point. Does the Co-operative Group still fund the Co-operative party? Is there still a relationship between the two?”

“Q You mentioned that the Bill would have a positive impact on the vast majority of your stores. Can you just walk us through how you have reached that calculation, particularly with reference to the different types of environments in which those stores are located and the different footprints they will have? Paul Gerra…”

“Q Welcome. We are all familiar with your business, which is a mainstay of many of our high streets. Would you be willing to give us your assessment of the overall impact of the Bill on the stores that you represent and your view on what it will do to the retail environment in which they sit? Paul Gerrard: Thank you for…”

“On a point of order, Dr Huq. I wanted to check the timings for today’s Committee. The invitations sent out to secure Members’ time had this Committee concluding at 4 pm today and tomorrow.”

“Q To follow up on that, you have mentioned the key role that local authorities play in the administration of the system. The Bill will introduce provisions whereby the Treasury can make alterations around the multipliers. What is the appropriate time period to ensure that local authorities have sufficient run-in so tha…”

“Q Good morning, Mr Watson. There has been a great deal of debate about the impact that the measures in the Bill will have on high streets, which contain a variety of different businesses. In opening your evidence, will you share your view of what the overall impact of the Bill is likely to be on our high streets? Gary …”

“I am referring to the diary invitations that were sent out. Separate information is sent to Members’ diaries electronically from what is on the agreed programme. I want to make sure that we confirm the time with Members. I am more than happy to stay here to conclude today’s business, but we need to ensure that Members …”