I welcome this opportunity to explain the background to this LCM. I'm grateful to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee for considering and reporting on the LCM within the tight timescales involved. The committee considers there is no impediment to the Assembly agreeing the LCM. The UK Government introduced the Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill on 12 June to provide for a number of technical changes to the non-domestic rates system in both England and Wales. Following my predecessor's announcement in July last year, provisions in the Bill applying to Wales will bring forward the next non-domestic rates revaluation date from 2022 to 2021 and adjust the deadline for the submission of proposed lists from September to December in the preceding valuation year. 

I believe these provisions fall within the legislative competence of the National Assembly for Wales. However, I am content that these provisions should be made in a Bill covering England and Wales, as this will ensure that the Valuation Office Agency conducts the revaluation at the same time and in a consistent way in both countries.

This is a short, technical Bill to effect a change that has the widespread support of businesses and other ratepayers. The Assembly has already approved an Order to bring forward the antecedent revaluation date, the reference date for the valuation assessments. I therefore move the motion and ask the Assembly to approve this legislative consent motion.