UK Parliament reported that the House of Lords has concluded committee stage consideration of the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, completing a clause-by-clause examination of the draft legislation. The bill would allow HM Treasury to introduce lower non-domestic rating multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, apply higher multipliers to large properties with a rateable value above GBP 500,000, and remove business rate relief from private schools registered as charities. Committee stage was held over two sittings on 24 February and 27 February, during which members tabled amendments covering potential impacts on businesses and high streets, the hospitality sector, grass roots music venues, and exemptions for community essential services such as banking hubs. Amendments were also raised on the effects on arts education providers, sport scholarships, and students of military personnel. The bill next moves to report stage in the House of Lords, scheduled for 18 March, following second reading on 29 January.
UK Parliament 2025-02-28
UK Parliament's House of Lords completes committee stage scrutiny of bill enabling new business rate multipliers and ending charity rate relief for private schools
The UK Parliament's House of Lords has completed the committee stage of the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill. The bill proposes lower non-domestic rating multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties, higher multipliers for large properties with a rateable value above GBP 500,000, and the removal of business rate relief for private schools registered as charities. Amendments discussed included impacts on businesses, high streets, and community services.