Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill: Second Reading

The House met to debate and vote on the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill on Monday 25 November.

This Bill, introduced to the House on 13 November 2024, amends the non-domestic rating system in England to enable the introduction of new tax rates, introducing powers to create new lower tax rates for qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure properties, higher tax rates for the high value properties, and removes the eligibility of private schools that are charities for charitable business rates relief.

An amendment was moved to block a second reading based on objections to the measures aimed at private schools, and the result was: Ayes: 173, Noes: 335. The House then voted on the second reading, with the result: Ayes: 334, Noes: 174.

The Bill will now be scrutinised in a Public Bill Committee.