Business Rates Briefing - government postpone revaluation in England to 2023

21 July 2020

Government has today announced that the next revaluation in England will now take effect in 2023 and published a call for evidence as part of its plans for business rates reform.

Following the publication of terms of reference for a fundamental review of the business rates system in the spring budget, and the business rates relief implemented as part of the COVID-19 economic support package, the decision was taken by government in May to postpone the proposed 2021 revaluation in England.

Government has today announced that the next revaluation in England will now take effect in 2023. In order to reflect the impact of COVID-19 more closely, government has also noted that the revaluation will be based on property values as of 1 April 2021.

Treasury has set out its plans for a fundamental review of business rates, and issued a call for evidence. You can find the full details of the business rates review here.

The call for evidence is now open until 31 October and considers several key areas including the current system of reliefs and exemptions and whether it strikes the right balance and targets the right businesses; whether there should be changes to the Check, Challenge, Appeal system, and whether reliefs should be set centrally or by local government.

GL Hearn will now work closely with clients in response to the government's call for evidence.

To get advice about your business rates, speak to our specialist team.