To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations his Department has received from businesses on the application of business rates to ports in the last 12 months; and what responses have been made to such representations. (284271)

The Department for Communities and Local Government has received correspondence from around 40 business contacts, and from 18 MPs, concerning the issues arising from the rating review of ports.

The Government have responded in writing to all those making representations, and in a number of parliamentary debates this year. In these responses, the Government have made it clear we have introduced legislation enabling all businesses (not just those in ports) facing backdated rates bills of 34 months or more, which meet certain criteria, to enter a schedule of payments to permit payment over up to eight years.