To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many businesses in (a) rural and (b) urban areas have a rateable value of less than £25,000; and if she will make a statement. (118702)

In the 2005 non domestic rating lists, which is available on www.voa.gov.uk, there are (a) 367,202 rating assessments in a local authority which is classified as being a mainly rural area and (b) 670,300 rating assessments in a local authority which is classified as being an urban area, as defined by DEFRA guidelines, with a rateable value of less than £25,000. There are a further 336,100 rating assessments classified as being in a “mixed” area.

It is not possible to provide the number of businesses without disproportionate cost.