Scottish Government has unveiled its Budget for 2017-18, which includes important announcements regarding business rates in Scotland. Non-domestic rates represent the second largest source of revenue under the direct control of Scottish Government, after Scottish Income Tax, and are estimated to raise more than £2.6 billion in 2017-18. ...Read More

The Court of Appeal has determined that an air conditioning system, installed by Iceland at one of its stores, did not qualify as "trade process" plant and machinery and was not, therefore, exempt from business rates. The system was to be valued as part of the rateable value of the store. ...Read More

The Autumn Statement 2016 contained a number of announcements that tinker with the business rates system but any ambition for fundamental reform has disappeared from government thinking. The Uniform Business Rate multiplier in England for next year will be very slightly lower than previously announced and there will be slight changes to the scheme of transitional adjustments from those set out in the recent consultation paper, along with other more minor changes ...Read More

Welsh Assembly Government has published proposals for a very limited scheme of transitional adjustments to affect rate liabilities following the 2017 Rating Revaluation. The proposal is designed to help small businesses whose entitlement to small business rate relief may be altered as a result of the forthcoming revaluation. ...Read More

New Rateable Values have been published for all non-domestic properties in England and Wales. these new values, together with the new Uniform Business Rate multiplier and the scheme of transitional adjustments, will set business rates liabilities for five years from 1 April 2017. the revaluation is the first in England and Wales for seven years and shows major changes in rates liability between different classes of property and different regions. ...Read More