Member

Delaying these impact studies would allow for proper consultation, allow the Secretary of State to make sure the Bill is fit for purpose and allow the accredited experts and their professional bodies time to consider and offer the optimum solutions. These professional experts understand the needs of the different sectors paying non-domestic rates. They understand the suitability of rateable value thresholds. They understand, in detail, the components of RHL and how they differ from one another. They understand—something not yet mentioned today—the problems of the inevitable logjam that will occur in the courts and tribunal system as businesses and schools challenge their rateable values. This will be a very significant challenge, and every opportunity will be taken by those with affected hereditaments to try and reduce their rates obligations. The accredited professionals have not been consulted on the new multiplier rates, which I find the most striking oversight of all. I asked the Minister why they were not consulted.