{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?registeredInterest=false&version=1&hansardHeading=Non-domestic+Rates%3A+Appeals", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?registeredInterest=false&version=1&hansardHeading=Non-domestic+Rates%3A+Appeals", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?registeredInterest=false&_metadata=all&version=1&hansardHeading=Non-domestic+Rates%3A+Appeals", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&registeredInterest=false&version=1&hansardHeading=Non-domestic+Rates%3A+Appeals", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?registeredInterest=false&version=1&hansardHeading=Non-domestic+Rates%3A+Appeals", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?registeredInterest=false&version=1&hansardHeading=Non-domestic+Rates%3A+Appeals", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1148218", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1148218/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Official statistics published by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on 22 August show that the system is operating as intended with issues being resolved at the appropriate stage. At 30 June 2019, 100,740 Checks and 17,010 Challenges had been registered, of which 89,440 Checks and 6,300 Challenges had been resolved. Most Checks are currently being resolved in 3 months and most Challenges within 12 months.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government intends to carry out a review of the effectiveness of the Check, Challenge, Appeal system. The VOA is also conducting a customer evaluation of the delivery of the new system.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-08T12:10:39.487Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the business rates appeal system Check, Challenge, Appeal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4452", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Double"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Austell and Newquay"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Double"}
      ], "uin" : "294199"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141931", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141931/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government will communicate the outcomes of its review into the Check Challenge Appeal reforms in due course. We expect that the review will draw upon the formal evaluation of the new system which is being led by the Valuation Office Agency and which is currently underway. This evaluation includes engagement with ratepayers and their representatives. MHCLG and the Valuation Office Agency also work closely together to engage with ratepayers and their representatives on the new appeals system and other issues on an ongoing basis.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-08-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-08-07T13:30:02.95Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in the review of the implementation of the package of reforms they undertook to carry out by 2019 in their response to Check, challenge, appeal: Reforming business rates appeals\u2014consultation on statutory implementation, published in March 2017; and what formal procedures are being put in place to ensure that ratepayers and their representatives have an opportunity to submit representations to that review.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1864", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Earl of Lytton"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Earl of Lytton"}
      ], "uin" : "HL17475"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1012137", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1012137/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>It is a requirement on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) under Regulation 22(1A) of the Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2009 (as amended) that, at the same time certain notices relating to the progression of a case or imposition of a penalty are sent to a ratepayer\u2019s agent they must also be provided to the ratepayer. The VOA has procedures to ensure that notices are sent to an interested party and their agent at the same time.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4282", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-03T16:40:18.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in the context of check-challenge-appeal it is a requirement under Regulation 22(1A) of the Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2009 (as amended) for the Valuation Office Agency in issuing notifications or certificates to communicate with both the ratepayer and the ratepayer's registered agent simultaneously; and if not, what is the procedure for making sure that both ratepayer and agent receive timely and accurate information necessary to progress through the process.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1864", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Earl of Lytton"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Earl of Lytton"}
      ], "uin" : "HL11664"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983154", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983154/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government introduced the new business rate appeal system Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) in April 2017. Under the old system, many appeals were submitted with little or no evidence, causing delay, and the lack of evidence meant the VOA couldn\u2019t separate genuine appeals from speculative ones.<\/p><p>Under CCA, ratepayers can check the facts held about their property and view their valuation before deciding whether to challenge it. If they go on to challenge they must provide the full evidence for their challenge, giving the VOA the opportunity to address and resolve the issues. This minimises uncertainty, ensuring businesses reach a resolution quicker, without the automatic need for an appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal.<\/p><p>Official VOA statistics released on 16 August 2018 show that as of 30 June 2018, most checks are being resolved within three months and most challenges within six months.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-16T16:52:20.92Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to improve the time it takes the Valuation Office Agency to process appeals against business rate decisions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
      ], "uin" : "176217"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756788", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756788/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I refer the honourable member to the answer provided at UIN HC4957 for information about the effectiveness and use of the new business rates appeals system, Check, Challenge, and Appeal.<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "8323"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-07T14:11:59.073Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the new business rates appeal process known as check, challenge, appeal; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4061", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bill Esterson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sefton Central"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bill Esterson"}
      ], "uin" : "8321"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756789", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756789/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The number of proposals against the 2010 Rating List received by Valuation Office Agency in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2016-17 are shown in the attached table.<\/p><p>These numbers are consistent with the Official Statistics on Non Domestic Rating Challenges and Changes released by the Valuation Office Agency on 24 August 2017.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
        , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756789/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Annex - NDR_CC LRW1_yearly_figures_as_at_3006217_v3 (002).docx"}
          , "title" : "2010 Local Rating List "}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-07T14:30:34.117Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses appealed their business rates in each of the last seven years in (a) England, (b) each English region and (c) each local authority area.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4061", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bill Esterson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sefton Central"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bill Esterson"}
      ], "uin" : "8322"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756790", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/756790/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I refer the honourable member to the answer provided at UIN HC4957 for information about the effectiveness and use of the new business rates appeals system, Check, Challenge, and Appeal.<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "8321"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-07T14:11:59.137Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have registered to use the new business rates appeal process since the check, challenge, appeal system was established in (a) England, (b) each English region and (c) each local authority area.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4061", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bill Esterson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sefton Central"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bill Esterson"}
      ], "uin" : "8323"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753982", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/753982/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Data on outstanding challenges against the 2010 rating lists in England and Wales, and the 2017 rating lists in Wales, is publicly available at:<\/p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-challenges-and-changes-england-and-wales-june-2017-non-check-challenge-and-appeal-cca<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-05T07:54:29.903Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the current number of outstanding business rate appeals lodged with the valuation office is.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4657", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anneliese Dodds"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anneliese Dodds"}
      ], "uin" : "6237"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752531", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752531/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>There are three stages to the new Check, Challenge, Appeal system:<\/p><ul><li><p>The Check stage allows the business or agent to understand exactly how a valuation has been calculated. It shows all the underlying facts about a property, and allows the business or agent to update the facts about the property if anything has changed. This gives individuals the opportunity to understand and agree the set of facts underlying any valuation, and to resolve any factual issues early.<\/p><\/li><li><p>The Challenge stage allows people to challenge the valuation calculated on the basis of the facts agreed at the Check stage, if they feel that the valuation is incorrect. The Challenge stages gives the VOA the opportunity to address and resolve the issue without the need for an appeal. The VOA will present the evidence to support their decision.<\/p><\/li><li><p>If ratepayers are still unhappy, having understood all the evidence and basis for the decision made at Challenge, they can Appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal for England. This appeal will be undertaken on the basis of all the evidence and arguments put forward from both sides at the Challenge stage.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>While thousands of people have started using the service to question their valuation, the Valuation Tribunal Service has confirmed that, as at 18 July 2017, no appeals have been made.<\/p><p> <\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-20T15:27:04.83Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Non-domestic Rates: Appeals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many appeals against business rates valuation the Valuation Office has received since the check, challenge, appeal system was established; and how many of those appeals were successful.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1591", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tim Farron"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Westmorland and Lonsdale"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tim Farron"}
      ], "uin" : "5080"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751690", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751690/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The new business rates appeals system, Check, Challenge, Appeal came into effect on 1 April 2017. A new system was required because the previous system was broken. Appeals were made with little or no evidence and more than 70% of appeals resulted in no change.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Check and Challenge service has been delivered by the Valuation Office Agency as a public beta service, meaning that the system is still being improved. The Valuation Office Agency is actively monitoring the service to identify and address any technical issues in the digital system which affect the customer experience. There have been some complaints about technical faults and lack of functionality in relation to the new service, which are being addressed.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The service is now working normally and work delayed through these issues is being cleared. Thousands of people have used the system and both Checks and Challenges are being made. I have been assured by the Valuation Office Agency that enhanced functionality and additional features for the service will be released throughout this financial year.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Regarding the effectiveness and value for money of the online service, it is expected that the new way of working will provide longer-term value for money as issues are dealt with earlier in the process and there is reduced incentive for speculative appeals.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
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