MPs debate business rates

Debate on business rates

Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Toby Perkins, moved the motion for debate. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Brandon Lewis, responded on behalf of the Government.

The Opposition motion was negatived on division (Ayes 216 votes, Noes 271 votes, Division 153).

The Government amendment to the Opposition motion was agreed on division (Ayes 271 votes, Noes 214 votes, Division 154).

• Watch Parliament TV: Opposition Day debate on Business Rates
• Read Commons Hansard: Opposition Day debate on Business Rates
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Business, industry and consumers

Related information

About Opposition Day debates

Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons in each session for the discussion of subjects chosen by the Opposition.

Seventeen days are at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the largest opposition party, to decide which matters are debated. Three days are usually divided between the other opposition parties.

The Opposition generally use them to raise questions of policy and administration. Frequently, two separate subjects are debated on an opposition day.

• About Parliament: Main business (debates)

Watching Opposition Day debates from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.

• How to attend a debate in the Chamber or in Westminster Hall

This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.