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Airports: Business Rates

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 28 January 2026UIN 107025

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how will the uplift in Rateable Values of airports in the 2026 Rating List, relative to the 2023 Rating List, affect the revenue of local billing authorities with airports in their localities.

Answered by Alison McGovern

At revaluations, adjustments through the business rates retention system ensure that as far as possible local authorities do not see a change in the income they raise from business rates.

In 2026-27, the business rates retention system is being reset as part of the design of the multi-year settlement which will also deliver the Fair Funding Review reforms. The reset includes a new measurement of all local authorities’ income which takes into account the impact of the 2026 revaluation, and reallocates business rates funding according to an updated measurement of local government funding need.

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