Rupert Lowe MP: written questions
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Written questions
Retail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103000More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the long-term sustainability of the current business rates model for high street businesses.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102999More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will undertake a full review of the business rates system.
Answer: The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitali...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102998More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impacts of the April revaluation on town centres.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102997More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration has been given to increasing permanent business rates relief for small and community-facing businesses.
Answer: The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitali...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102996More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered freezing rateable values for small businesses at 2023 levels pending a full review of the business rates system.
Answer: The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitali...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102995More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the impact of the business rates system on physical premises compared to online and out-of-town operators.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102994More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what analysis has been conducted into levels of disparity between business rates increases for bricks-and-mortar businesses compared to those for warehouse and distribution premises.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102993More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether transitional relief arrangements will fully offset increases in business rates for small businesses following the April revaluation.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102992More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of business rates liabilities on the number of business closures since the last revaluation.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: EmploymentTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102991More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of increases in business rates on employment levels in labour-intensive sectors.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102990More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling has been undertaken to assess the cumulative impact of business rates increases on high street viability over the next three years.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102989More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of commercial properties she estimates will see an increase in rateable value following the forthcoming revaluation.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102988More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the April 2026 business rates revaluation on small and medium-sized enterprises operating from physical premises.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102987More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take legislative steps to prevent non-UK citizens from (a) voting and (b) standing in all UK elections.
Answer: The Government has no current plans to change the voting or candidacy rights of foreign nationals.British, Irish, and Commonwealth citizens are able to participate in UK Parliamentary elections subject to residency and other eligibility requirements. In t...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTourism: Income Tax and National Insurance ContributionsTreasuryTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101572More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate has been made of the annual income tax and National Insurance contributions generated by employment directly and indirectly supported by the Hemsby tourism economy.
Answer: HM Revenue and Customs has not made estimate of total annual tax receipts generated by economic, employment or tourism related activity in Hemsby, Norfolk.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTourism: VATTreasuryTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101571More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate has been made of the annual VAT revenue generated by tourism-related activity in Hemsby, including holiday accommodation, food and drink and local services.
Answer: HM Revenue and Customs has not made estimate of total annual tax receipts generated by economic, employment or tourism related activity in Hemsby, Norfolk.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTax Yields: HemsbyTreasuryTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101570More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HM Treasury has made of total annual tax receipts generated by economic activity in Hemsby, Norfolk, including (a) income tax, (b) National Insurance contributions, (c) VAT, and (d) business rates.
Answer: HM Revenue and Customs has not made estimate of total annual tax receipts generated by economic, employment or tourism related activity in Hemsby, Norfolk.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Areas: FinanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of how her Department's proposed funding reforms will impact coastal communities with high proportions of (a) small businesses, (b) seasonal tourism employ
Answer: On 14 October 2025, following consultation, the Government announced major changes to its flood and coastal erosion funding policy. The reforms will make it quicker and easier to deliver flood defences by simplifying our funding rules, and optimising fund...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Erosion: HemsbyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101568More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) financial support and (b) support for (i) relocation, (ii) purchase of replacement housing and (iii) compensation for loss of property value is available to households in Hems
Answer: The Environment Agency administers and assures the coastal erosion assistance grant (CEAG) on behalf of Defra. A grant of £6,000 per property is available to support the prompt and safe demolition of homes at greatest risk of loss from erosion. Local auth...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Erosion: HemsbyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101567More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with (a) Great Yarmouth Borough Council, (b) Norfolk County Council and (c) the Environment Agency on long-term coastal erosion management optio
Answer: The Environment Agency has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change. Local authorities take the lead in managing coastal erosion. In Hemsby, Great Yarmouth Borough Council are the lead authority for coastal eros...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Erosion: HemsbyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101566More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the current Shoreline Management Plan policy is for the Hemsby coastline; and what the evidential basis was for selecting that policy.
Answer: In January 2025 the Environment Agency published the new Shoreline Management Plan Explorer. The documentation associated with preferred policies can be found in the SMP Main Report: Kelling Hard to Lowestoft SMP6 | Shoreline Management Plans. The manage...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Erosion: HemsbyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101565More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) coastal modelling, (b) geomorphical studies and (c) monitoring programmes the Environment Agency has commissioned in relation to Hemsby since 2020.
Answer: The Environment Agency was a partner in the development and publication of the Shoreline Management Plan for northeast Norfolk: Kelling Hard to Lowestoft SMP6 | Shoreline Management Plans. In 2018/19, the Environment Agency worked with the Anglian Regiona...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal ErosionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101564More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the steps her Department is taking to consider (a) displacement costs, (b) temporary accommodation costs and (c) local authority rehousi
Answer: Coastal management is delivered through collaboration between the Environment Agency, local authorities and a range of partners. Defra retains overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) in England, while local auth...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Erosion and Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to assess the potential impact of new flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes on (a) primary residences, (b) second homes, (c) holiday cha
Answer: On 14 October 2025, following consultation, the Government announced major changes to its flood and coastal erosion funding policy. The reforms will make it quicker and easier to deliver flood defences by simplifying our funding rules, and optimising fund...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Erosion: HemsbyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101562More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the cost-benefit ratio in relation to (a) maintaining current shoreline management policy outcomes at Hemsby and (b) alternative policies involving addi
Answer: Great Yarmouth Borough Council are the Risk Management Authority (RMA) for the Hemsby area. They are best placed, using local knowledge and data, to undertake detailed assessments of risk management options along with their costs and benefits. In 2018/19,...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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