To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles), of 11 December 2007, Official Report, column 536W, on business: non-domestic rates, what multiplier is levied in each business improvement district that is in operation. (182613)

For 2007-08, the national non-domestic multiplier is 44.4p and the small business multiplier is 44.1p. These apply in all areas in England, irrespective of whether a business improvement district is in operation. It is for those involved in BIDs to agree on the amount of BID levies and how they should be calculated.