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The hon. Lady is in a knowledge-free zone. She has failed to acknowledge the tremendous help that the Government have given to businesses. The help includes the small business rate relief—nearly 400,000 businesses have taken advantage of the 50 per cent. relief, which was opposed by the Opposition—the deferral of 60 per cent. of the retail prices index increase, the deferral of 60 per cent. of the transitional element, and the deferral of tax and VAT for more than 100,000 businesses. That is what real help is, and I am afraid that the hon. Lady is not even on the playing field.
The hon. Lady is in a knowledge-free zone. She has failed to acknowledge the tremendous help that the Government have given to businesses. The help includes the small business rate relief—nearly 400,000 businesses have taken advantage of the 50 per cent. relief, which was opposed by the Opposition—the deferral of 60 per cent. of the retail prices index increase, the deferral of 60 per cent. of the transitional element, and the deferral of tax and VAT for more than 100,000 businesses. That is what real help is, and I am afraid that the hon. Lady is not even on the playing field.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Justine Greening
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
With 41 businesses now going insolvent every day, the decision by Ministers to withdraw transitional relief has been taken in a totally fact-free zone. No assessment was made of how withdrawing the relief in the first place would hurt businesses. Two months after the decision to introduce the business rate deferral scheme, Ministers have still not calculated the cost of the scheme to local authorities nor assessed its impact on businesses. Is the Secretary of State still going ahead with the next big challenge for businesses, the 2010 revaluation, and will that decision be taken in a fact-free zone too, with no account taken of the impact on businesses, communities and jobs?
Subjects
Business rates
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c145-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Yes, I can confirm to the hon. Gentleman that he is correct on both counts.
Yes, I can confirm to the hon. Gentleman that he is correct on both counts.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Philip Hollobone
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
Will the Secretary of State confirm that the business rates deferral scheme will start to take effect from the end of July and will she give a commitment that the new costs incurred by local authorities in sending out the new bills will be fully funded by central Government?
Subjects
Business rates
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c145
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
No formal consideration is made of the effect of the transitional relief scheme in each financial year, but the Government are aware of the impact that large increases in business rate bills can have on all businesses when the transitional rate relief comes to an end. That is why we are allowing businesses to defer, over two years, 60 per cent. of the increase in their business rates bill for 2009-10 caused by the ending of transitional relief. That is in addition to allowing the deferral of 60 per cent. of the increase caused by the annual inflation adjustment.
No formal consideration is made of the effect of the transitional relief scheme in each financial year, but the Government are aware of the impact that large increases in business rate bills can have on all businesses when the transitional rate relief comes to an end. That is why we are allowing businesses to defer, over two years, 60 per cent. of the increase in their business rates bill for 2009-10 caused by the ending of transitional relief. That is in addition to allowing the deferral of 60 per cent. of the increase caused by the annual inflation adjustment.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Philip Hollobone
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
What assessment she has made of the effects of the transitional arrangements for the national non-domestic rate on small businesses in (a) London and (b) Northamptonshire in 2009-10.
Subjects
Business rates
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c145
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My Department continues to work to devolve power to councils, communities and citizens; to build strong, cohesive communities; to build new homes where people want to live and bring up their families; and to prevent violent extremism.
My Department continues to work to devolve power to councils, communities and citizens; to build strong, cohesive communities; to build new homes where people want to live and bring up their families; and to prevent violent extremism.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Louise Ellman
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c159
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I have had the pleasure of visiting Stourbridge with my hon. Friend. She, too, is a champion for her area. We hope to ensure that the £3 million town centres fund is up and running very shortly, and to get the money out so that we can provide support, particularly for local authorities to cover the temporary costs of using those empty premises for something worth while, whether for arts activities or cultural activities, as a drop-in centre for the police service, or for a rehearsal space for young people in bands—a range of activities which, just as in Thornaby, can help to draw people to the town centre. If we get people in, shopping and spending their money, that will help the businesses enormously in my hon. Friend's area. I will ensure that she gets the details as a matter of priority for her community.
I have had the pleasure of visiting Stourbridge with my hon. Friend. She, too, is a champion for her area. We hope to ensure that the £3 million town centres fund is up and running very shortly, and to get the money out so that we can provide support, particularly for local authorities to cover the temporary costs of using those empty premises for something worth while, whether for arts activities or cultural activities, as a drop-in centre for the police service, or for a rehearsal space for young people in bands—a range of activities which, just as in Thornaby, can help to draw people to the town centre. If we get people in, shopping and spending their money, that will help the businesses enormously in my hon. Friend's area. I will ensure that she gets the details as a matter of priority for her community.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Lynda Waltho
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
I know that my right hon. Friend is aware of the great need for regeneration in Stourbridge, and of the series of public meetings that I have recently conducted with business and local people on that topic and on the recession. At our last meeting, people were greatly excited by the announcement of a fund for temporary use of empty shops. Can she elaborate on that, and tell me how we can access that funding in Stourbridge?
Subjects
Regeneration; Stourbridge
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c163
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend, as ever, is a champion for her community. She will know that I have visited Thornaby probably half a dozen times over the past 10 or 12 years, and I have seen the dramatic transformation that there has been in that community, which has suffered from a range of deprivation. The shopping centre that has been developed is a marvellous, light, airy, attractive place that will bring people to businesses in that community. The hairdressers in my hon. Friend's shopping centre did an excellent job, and I was delighted to be able to pay a visit there on my most recent visit.
My hon. Friend, as ever, is a champion for her community. She will know that I have visited Thornaby probably half a dozen times over the past 10 or 12 years, and I have seen the dramatic transformation that there has been in that community, which has suffered from a range of deprivation. The shopping centre that has been developed is a marvellous, light, airy, attractive place that will bring people to businesses in that community. The hairdressers in my hon. Friend's shopping centre did an excellent job, and I was delighted to be able to pay a visit there on my most recent visit.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Dari Taylor
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently visited my constituency and the small town of Thornaby, which has been regenerated. Will she join me in complimenting the developers, Thornfield, and Stockton borough council for delivering an excellent scheme? Will she also acknowledge that it is not just a matter of the physical environment, as when such improvements are made, people's confidence rises and their keenness to be much more involved in the governance of their town becomes much more evident?
Subjects
Urban areas; Regeneration
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c162-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I entirely share my hon. Friend's concern about the activities of extremist groups. I am aware of a number of groups that have used council premises in places including Ealing and Tower Hamlets. Some of the councils concerned have very courageously taken steps to ensure that those groups are banned from their premises on the grounds that their activities seek to divide communities. I can also confirm to my hon. Friend that my Department is in contact with those local authorities to support them in making the right decisions to bring our communities together, and not to divide them with the views of extremists.
I entirely share my hon. Friend's concern about the activities of extremist groups. I am aware of a number of groups that have used council premises in places including Ealing and Tower Hamlets. Some of the councils concerned have very courageously taken steps to ensure that those groups are banned from their premises on the grounds that their activities seek to divide communities. I can also confirm to my hon. Friend that my Department is in contact with those local authorities to support them in making the right decisions to bring our communities together, and not to divide them with the views of extremists.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Louise Ellman
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
I applaud my right hon. Friend's strong stand against extremism. Does she share my concern about the fact that al-Muhajiroun has regrouped under different names, and about the fact that on 1 March this year, Islam for the UK held an event at a Harrow primary school that featured a live link with the banished Omar Bakri Muhammad? What assurances can she give me that public facilities will not be used to promote extremism in such a way in the future?
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c159-60
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As I remember, the last time the hon. Gentleman raised the issue he had a particular fanciable pigeon in mind; I have forgotten its name. I can say to him that I did personally take up the issue and find out why pigeon racing was not defined as a sport. Apparently it is because the owners do not take part in any physical activity. [Laughter.] If they ran behind the pigeons, it could be a sport. In terms of empowering the pigeon fanciers, perhaps I can suggest to him that they might like to draw up a petition, so that we can see whether we can take action on the issue.
As I remember, the last time the hon. Gentleman raised the issue he had a particular fanciable pigeon in mind; I have forgotten its name. I can say to him that I did personally take up the issue and find out why pigeon racing was not defined as a sport. Apparently it is because the owners do not take part in any physical activity. [Laughter.] If they ran behind the pigeons, it could be a sport. In terms of empowering the pigeon fanciers, perhaps I can suggest to him that they might like to draw up a petition, so that we can see whether we can take action on the issue.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Richard Ottaway
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I raise with the Secretary of State an issue that I have raised before—the recognition of pigeon racing as a sport? Of course, the significance as far as her Department is concerned, is that if it is not a sport, pigeon-racing premises have to pay business rates. She may not be aware that the application of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association for pigeon racing to become a sport has been rejected by Sport England. Will she, on behalf of the pigeon fanciers of Croydon and Salford, join me in supporting an appeal, so that our pigeon fanciers can get the deal that they deserve?
Subjects
Business rates; Pigeon racing
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c160
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What assessment she has made of the effects of the transitional arrangements for the national non-domestic rate on small businesses in (a) London and (b) Northamptonshire in 2009-10.
What assessment she has made of the effects of the transitional arrangements for the national non-domestic rate on small businesses in (a) London and (b) Northamptonshire in 2009-10.
Asked by
Philip Hollobone
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
21 May 2009
For answer on
2 June 2009
Answered on
2 June 2009
No formal consideration is made of the effect of the transitional relief scheme in each financial year, but the Government are aware of the impact that large increases in business rate bills can have on all businesses when the transitional rate relief comes to an end. That is why we are allowing businesses to defer, over two years, 60 per cent. of the increase in their business rates bill for 2009-10 caused by the ending of transitional relief. That is in addition to allowing the deferral of 60 per cent. of the increase caused by the annual inflation adjustment.
Subjects
Business rates
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c145; 277598
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Richard Ottaway
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 June 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Business rates; Pigeon racing
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
493 c160; 277628
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons