Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cleverly this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 681–700 of 1,474 · this parliament
Whether the Valuation Office Agency plans to publish an ad-hoc release for (a) Non-domestic rating: properties over £500,000 and (b) Non-domestic rating: summary of properties over £500,000, based on the 2026 Rating List.
This information was included in the Change in rateable value of rating lists, 2026 Revaluation publication:Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (draft list) - GOV.UK
Whether the Valuation Office Agency uses Value Significant Codes for council tax valuations, and whether it is planning to collect new Codes, for (a) England or (b) Wales.
The Valuation Office Agency uses Value Significant Codes for council tax valuations to indicate specific features that are likely to affect the value of a property either positively or negatively.
Communities and Local Government, whether local planning authorities are required to inform him when making an Article 4 direction in relation to restricting permitted development rights.
Local planning authorities are required to send a copy of all Article 4 directions made to the Secretary of State, as set out in Schedule 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
Pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2025, to Question 99923, on Retail Trade: Business Rates, what is the estimated change in the value of Retail Hospitality and Leisure relief for business rates in 2026-27 on firms not previously subject to the £110,000 cap in 2025-26.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government publishes data on the cost of, and number of properties receiving, business rates relief. This data can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils-in-england-forecast-2025-to-2026
Whether Valuation Office Agency staff will have their contractual terms amended following its merger with HMRC.
The Valuation Office Agency will close from 1 April 2026 with all colleagues transferring into HMRC. Colleagues will transfer under the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice (COSoP) with which HMRC and the VOA have complied in full. All contractual terms currently held by colleagues working for the VOA have been protected as a matter of principle during this process and will be honoured in full on transfer to HMRC. HMRC and VOA have consulted with VOA’s recognised Trade Unions during the COSoP process to ensure that meaningful engagement and discussion has taken place concerning all matters relating to the transfer.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential effect of the planned increases in landfill duty on housebuilding.
The government carefully considered the impact of reforms to landfill tax on rates of housebuilding and took account of the feedback received to the consultation carried out last year. As a result, the government set out a plan to prevent the gap between the two rates of landfill tax expanding over the coming years, ensuring that housebuilders will not face significant new costs. In addition, we are retaining the tax exemption for backfilling quarries to ensure that housebuilders continue to have access to a low-cost alternative to landfill.
Communities and Local Government, whether the Muslim Council of Britain is eligible to apply for funding through the Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2026.
The government does not engage with the Muslim Council of Britain. The Windrush Day Grant Scheme assesses all applications in line with the published eligibility criteria: Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2026 - GOV.UK. Organisations do not need to be Windrush‑specific, but they must show that their project will genuinely involve and benefit the Windrush community. All applications are considered on this basis. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not in itself imply that funding will be awarded; applications are considered holistically against the aims and requirements of the scheme.
Communities and Local Government, whether he holds data on (1) the aggregate number of hereditaments which claimed Retail, Hospitality and Leisure rate relief in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26, (2) the average Rateable Value of such hereditaments, (3) the distribution of Special Category Code of such hereditaments and (4) any such data by local authority.
The number of hereditaments receiving the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief as at 31 December 2024 can be found in Table 4 on gov.uk here. This is based on a snapshot taken by local authorities on or as close to the 31 December 2024. The snapshot as at 31 December 2025 is currently being collected and will be published by the end of March. The Department does not collect data on the rateable value or the Special Category code of the hereditaments that received this relief.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to amend the the National Planning Policy Framework to define a fast food outlet.
The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, more rules-based policies for decision-making and plan-making. Through the consultation, we are seeking feedback on the application of the term ‘fast food outlets’ in planning decisions, and whether any further clarity could be provided on the types of establishments this policy should apply to. The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent with Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited since July 2024; and for what purposes.
Since July 2024, £608,970 has been spent with Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd in connection with contracts that the Department had, and has, with the firm. Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd provides technical planning advice relating to a number of planning decisions to be taken by the government and has provided advice that supported the work of the New Towns independent Task Force.
What assessment she has made of the potential compound impact on the hotels sector of (a) the overnight visitor levy and (b) increases in business rates in the 2026 Business Rates valuation.
The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.The Government is also introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid.Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear their concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is spent. Giving this power to local leaders who best understand their region enables them to tailor it to growing their local economies.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025, to Question 95866, on Business Rates, how many and what proportion of hereditaments have seen their bills (a) increase, (b) remain the same and (c) fall following the revaluation and revised multipliers in England.
The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.The new, permanently lower tax rates for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government publishes data on the number of properties receiving business rates relief. This data can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils-in-england-forecast-2025-to-2026
Pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025, to Question 87790, on Business Rates: Valuation, what was the increase in aggregate Rateable Values for the serviced office sector as a result of the new valuation methodology.
The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.
What recent estimate she has made of gross business rate receipts in England in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26, (c) 2026-27, (d) 2027-28 and (e) 2028-29.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government publishes data on the rates collected by councils in England. This data can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils-in-england-forecast-2025-to-2026
Communities and Local Government, what guidance he has given to business improvement districts on whether they should adjust their multiplier supplement as a consequence of the increase in Rateable Values from the 2026 business rates revelation.
The Secretary of State has not issued any guidance to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) on adjusting levy arrangements or supplements in response to changes in rateable values from the 2026 business rates revaluation. BID levies are set locally through ballot‑approved proposals and are not automatically affected by national revaluation or multipliers, so any adjustment is a matter for the individual BID under its governing arrangements.
If she will make it her policy to ensure the Valuation Office Agency's online calculator on gov.uk for the affect of the 2026 revaluation includes the GLA Crossrail supplement on hereditaments in London.
The estimator tool has been taken down as standard practice ahead of billing authorities issuing bills, to reduce confusion for customers. Businesses can still check their rateable value via the Valuation Office Agency’s online service and should contact their local council with any questions about their bill.On 27 January, it was announced that every pub and live music venue will get 15% off its new business rates bill on top of the support announced at Budget and then bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years.For those businesses benefiting from the new announcement, there is a specific calculator available to help them understand the impact on bills next year.
Which public sector bodies will be compensated for increases to their business rates.
At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.The Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.Departments’ budgets were set at Spending Review 2025. Any spending pressures are expected to be managed within those settlements.
What is the (1) aggregate and (2) average, (a) percentage and (b) monetary change in Rateable Values in (i) England and (ii) London, between the 2023 and 2026 Rating Lists, according to information held by the Valuation Office Agency.
Official statistics comparing the 2023 non-domestic rating lists and 2026 draft non-domestic rating lists for England are published here.
Communities and Local Government, how will the uplift in Rateable Values of airports in the 2026 Rating List, relative to the 2023 Rating List, affect the revenue of local billing authorities with airports in their localities.
At revaluations, adjustments through the business rates retention system ensure that as far as possible local authorities do not see a change in the income they raise from business rates. In 2026-27, the business rates retention system is being reset as part of the design of the multi-year settlement which will also deliver the Fair Funding Review reforms. The reset includes a new measurement of all local authorities’ income which takes into account the impact of the 2026 revaluation, and reallocates business rates funding according to an updated measurement of local government funding need.
Communities and Local Government, what representations his Department has received on reports of councils breaking the Local Government Publicity Code in relation to lobbying campaigns on restructuring.
On 19 November 2025 I wrote to all councils in the local government reorganisation areas to remind them that they must have regard to the Recommended Code of Practice for Local Authority Publicity when developing and pursuing reorganisation proposals, and that the Secretary of State has powers, in Section 4A of the Local Government Act 1986, to direct compliance with some, or all, of the Code. Representations on Publicity Code cases occur following Secretary of State deciding to pursue a case and issuing a council with a notice of the proposed direction(s). No such notice of directions have been issued to date in regard to council publicity on reorganisation.