IRRV Alert - week ending 13th October 2023
News
Lords completes examination of Non-Domestic Rating Bill (13 October 2023)
Lords completes examination of Non-Domestic Rating Bill
13 October 2023
OCT
13
2023
The Non-Domestic Rating Bill has its third reading, a chance for members to make sure the eventual law is effective, workable and without loopholes, on Monday 16 October.
The Non-Domestic Rating Bill is a government bill that would make changes to business rates. It would reduce the time between property revaluations, impose a duty on businesses to notify the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) of changes that could affect a property’s rateable value, and introduce rates reliefs for improvements to property and heat networks.
Third reading
Third reading is the chance for members to ‘tidy up' a bill, making small changes to ensure it is effective.   
No amendments have yet been put forward ahead of third reading. Members may discuss the progress of the bill through the House at the conclusion of Lords stages.   
How to follow
- Watch on Parliament TV from 3.10pm
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript (from three hours after the debate).
Explore further information
Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library Non-Domestic Rating Bill briefing.
What's happened so far?
Report stage: Tuesday 19 October
Proposed changes
Members speaking at report stage put forward amendments (changes) to the bill to be discussed.
The amendments cover a range of subjects, including:
- reviewing of the non-domestic rating systems
- non-domestic rates avoidance arrangements
- rate reliefs for energy efficiency improvements.
Catch up
- Watch on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
Committee stage: Monday 3 July
Committee stage is the first chance to check the bill in detail and make changes.
Proposed changes
Members speaking at committee stage put forward amendments (PDF) (changes) to the bill to be discussed.
The amendments covered a range of subjects, including:
- energy efficiency improvements
- transparency of the VOA
- reporting on VOA resources.
Catch up
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
Second reading: Monday 19 June
During second reading, members discussed the main issues in the bill and flagged up any concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed.
Topics covered during the debate included:
- performance of the Valuation Office Agency
- the reduction in time between property revaluations
- local authority investment in business and economic growth.
Members speaking
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative), the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Faith and Communities, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.
Members speaking in the debate included:
- The Earl of Lytton (Crossbench), chair of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' Boundaries and Party Walls Professional Panel
- Baroness Thornhill (Liberal Democrat), Mayor of Watford
- Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour), Shadow Spokesperson for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Watch and read the debate
Find out more about the issues discussed: catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.