Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 2:12 pm on 2 March 2005.
The right hon. Gentleman will know that revaluation is often associated with the concept of rebanding. It does not mean anything to say that there will be no increase in overall take. What matters is where the take happens within the bands. There is much speculation that there will be a new low band, which means a lower take for councils with large numbers of properties in the low band, and there is also speculation about the addition of at least two new bands, which would mean higher council taxes. In addition to that, if there is regional valuation, areas that have done relatively well in house prices in a generally depressed market will find their bands increased. The Minister's assurance means nothing unless he is also prepared to say that there will be no rebanding exercise, because it is rebanding linked to revaluation that gives rise to people's concerns.