St Austell and Newquay Member of Parliament Steve Double has welcomed the return to Parliament of the Bill that will exempt operators of public toilets from having to pay Business Rates.

The Bill had been delayed due to the General Election, Brexit legislation and the COVID-19 crisis but has now returned after Steve raised it in Parliament in June.

Commenting Steve said:

“I have campaigned for the exemption of business rates for operators of public toilets since 2012 when I was the Cornwall Council Cabinet member responsible.  I picked up this campaign as MP in 2015 when I raised it with then Prime Minister David Cameron when he visited St Austell.”

“These costs, often running to thousands of pounds a year, can mean the difference between these vital facilities staying open or closing and can be a major expense for already hard-pressed town and parish councils who Cornwall Council have made take them on.”

“I am pleased to have made the case and led the campaign over the years for their exemption from business rates, and am delighted the Government listened to my recent question in Parliament and has brought this legislation back, thus providing relief for toilets operators across the land.”

The legislation is due for its second reading in Parliament on 16th July and will then go before the House of Lords, and should pass into law shortly afterwards.