Government Curtails Appeal Rights Over COVID-19

Many of those ineligible for reliefs have been appealing for discounts on their rates bills, arguing the pandemic represented a ‘material change of circumstance’ (MCC). The government is of the opinion that market-wide economic changes to property values, such as from COVID-19, can only be properly considered at general rates revaluations, and will therefore be legislating to rule out COVID-19 related MCC appeals. The Statutory Instrument to achieve this was laid before Parliament yesterday and a retrospective Act will be passed as Parliamentary time permits. This legislation is necessary because the Government’s opinion is contrary to current law as it stood prior to now.

This decision is widely seen as expedient rather than fair and could be subject to legal challenge.

The whole statement can be seen at here.