Just one week into the new Parliamentary term and another defeat for the Government

Yes, the Lords are back, and whilst there isn't much voting going on at the moment, one long-running argument appears to be bubbling away. On two occasions already, the Government has been told to go away and do something about the retrospective revaluation of non-domestic rates for port-side operators. So far, they've done nothing. And so, it was time for a Motion of Regret...

Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009

Lord Bates moved to resolve that this House regrets that the Non-Domestic Rating (Deferred Payments) (England) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1597) do not remove the retrospective application of a revaluation of non-domestic rates for port-side operators.

And sure enough, the Government were defeated again, by 72 votes to 66. At some point, they may get the message, although Lord Greaves was unimpressed.

Interesting to note that, whilst some MPs are complaining about retrospective treatment of their expenses, they are happy to apply it to a key sector of British industry. Ah, irony, don't you love it?