VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Business Rates: Valuation

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 24 April 2026UIN 127551

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the methodology and the formula used in the current rateable value calculation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

The Valuation Office calculates a rateable value for each business property in England and Wales. A rateable value is an estimate of what it would cost to rent a property for a year, on a set date known as the Valuation Date.

The methodology and approach used to assess rateable values varies depending on the type of property. The Valuation Office publishes a Rating Manual describing how each property class is valued. The manual for the 2023 rating list can be found here, and will be updated for the 2026 list in due course.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim