(2) what estimate he has made of the number of businesses in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point which qualify for small business rate relief but do not claim it.
Castle Point borough council reported that the number of businesses receiving small business rate relief was 625 at 31 December 2006, the latest date for which data are available. At the same date, the number of businesses in Essex receiving small business rate relief was 11,426, excluding figures for Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock unitary authorities.
We have not made an estimate of the number of businesses in Castle Point or Essex which qualify for small business rate relief but do not claim it.