Plain-English analysis of the rating system — what’s changing, what it costs you, and how to check you’re not overpaying. Written from our own data and the VOAThe government body that sets every property's Rateable Value. From April 2026 the VOA is part of HMRC (see below), but 'VOA' is still the common name for the valuation side of the work.’s published figures.
VOA data shows requests to correct property records have rocketed from almost nothing in April to over 700 a week by July — and more than four in five have been accepted in full. Here's what's driving the surge, and what it means for your own rates bill.
Read the analysisThe government has confirmed a 20% cut to business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues from April 2027 — worth an estimated £1,100 a year to the average pub. Here's what's changing, how it's funded, and who misses out.
Read the analysisNew VOA data shows 57% of businesses that challenged their rates bill secured a reduction — better-than-even odds. But almost 130,000 cases were filed in a single quarter, and the queue is only getting longer.
Read the analysisBusiness rates bills are based on a valuation nobody checked in person. Here's why that leads to overpayment, what the government's own figures show, and the narrow window you now have to do something about it.
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