VALUATION OF HOMES AND FIRMS FOR TAXATION

Early day motion 1894, tabled 15 July 2009 by Caroline Spelman (Conservative). Signed by 27 members.

That this House observes that the unfair imposition of retrospective business rates on local firms in ports may push struggling firms into insolvency; criticises the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for its poor communication and lack of forward warning of this new ports tax; expresses concern that the VOA and Ministers know of errors in council tax banding in England but have obscured the scale of the problem to avoid public criticism; further observes the succession of council tax banding errors following the 2005 council tax revaluation in Wales has further undermined the case for a revaluation in England; further expresses concern about the Government's plans for the 2010 revaluation and the disproportionate impact on retail premises; and calls for an urgent impact assessment into its effect.

Signatures by party: Conservative 24, Liberal Democrat 2, DUP 1.