Member

On the Government’s argument, I remind the Minister that I am not asking for NHS hospitals and clinics to be excluded from paying business rates. All I am urging is that they are not asked to pay the higher multiplier, which could, if that limit were imposed, mean a 20% increase in their business rates. This would be at a time when other costs are rising and hospitals and NHS trust boards are finding it really difficult to make ends meet and provide a better service for people waiting in A&E or in pain for lengthy periods, for example for a hip operation.