Telecom Industry Business Rates

EDM number 713 in 2016-17, proposed by Calum Kerr on 23/11/2016.
Categorised under the topics of Companies, Taxation and Telecommunications.

That this House believes that the proposed increase of 324 per cent on business rates on network assets in the communications industry is detrimental to the UK's position as a leading digital nation and will result in higher prices to internet users at home and in business; further believes that the increase of 324 per cent is disproportionate when compared to proposed increases in the rail sector of 38 per cent, water 16 per cent, electricity 17 per cent and gas 24 per cent; believes that this rise will change the business case for further roll-out as it will divert funds that would otherwise be available for investment and undermines the Government's stated priority of incentivising investment in broadband infrastructure and increasing consumer use of the internet; and calls on the Government to offset this increase, which fundamentally threatens the UK's lead as a digital nation, by introducing an equivalent scheme of transitional relief which was offered to ratepayers in 2010.

This motion has been signed by a total of 41 MPs.