Only the day after the House of Commons considered the third reading amendments from the House of Lords, Royal Ascent was given to the Non-Domestic Rating Bill 2023 on Thursday 26^th October. The Act aims to deliver some of the biggest reforms to non-domestic rating in over 30 years and will have significant repercussions for ratepayers, their agents, Local Authorities and indeed the Valuation Office Agency who deal with the assessment and appeals process. Accessible Retail along with many other stakeholders engaged at various stages and to a number of consultations which are linked to the new legislation.

Whilst there will be a number of statutory instruments tabled in the coming months to give effect to many parts of the legislation the changes relating to material change of circumstances take immediate effect whilst changes to completion notice changes will be implemented after two months.

Full details about the legislation can be found here: Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 Stages - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Also enacted on the same day was the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 which includes changes to town and country planning; Community Infrastructure Levy, certain consents and plans about; regeneration and compulsory purchase to name but a few.

Full details about this act can be found here:  Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament