Tories plan to scupper backdated ports rates

The Tories will table an amendment to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords and has yet to be considered by the House of Commons.

The amendment will be to implement the Treasury Select Committee’s recommendation to maintain rates at the 2005 level until 2010 and scrap retrospective rates, said shadow local government minister Bob Neill.

If the amendment is carried by the Lords – where Labour does not have a majority – this would put the onus on the government to defeat the amendment in the Commons. Many Labour MPs have already campaigned hard against the backdated rates system. “I just wonder how many Labour MPs with ports in their constituency will be prepared to vote against our amendment,” said Mr Neill.