VALUATION OF HOMES AND FIRMS FOR TAXATION

That this House observes that the unfair imposition of retrospective business rates on local firms in ports may push struggling firms into insolvency; criticises the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for its poor communication and lack of forward warning of this new ports tax; expresses concern that the VOA and Ministers know of errors in council tax banding in England but have obscured the scale of the problem to avoid public criticism; further observes the succession of council tax banding errors following the 2005 council tax revaluation in Wales has further undermined the case for a revaluation in England; further expresses concern about the Government's plans for the 2010 revaluation and the disproportionate impact on retail premises; and calls for an urgent impact assessment into its effect.