HC Deb 20 July 1988 vol 137 cc675-6W
24. Mr. Grocott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of people to be exempted from paying the community charge.

Mr. Howard

We estimate that about half a million people will be exempt from paying the personal community charge.

52. Mr. Fallon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest assessment of the effect of the proposed national non-domestic rate on the northern region.

Mr. Howard

Rate poundages in the northern region are presently between 10 and 28 per cent. more than this year's national average of 239.5p. A uniform non-domestic rate poundage at that level would have reduced rate bills in the region by £110 million on current rateable values. The national non-domestic rate will be introduced simultaneously with a revaluation. The outcome of that is not yet known, but it is expected that businesses in the northern region will benefit further, though the impact will vary for different types of property. With a national non-domestic rate, rate poundage will rise no faster than the rate of inflation, unlike this year when increases in Durham ranged from 14 to 20 per cent. Lower and more stable rate poundages will encourage investment and allow businesses to plan sensibly.

100. Mr. McLoughlin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the element of the estimated community charges in Derbyshire and Staffordshire for 1988–89 attributable to county precepts.

Mr. Howard

In the new local government finance system, authorities will be accountable for all their expenditure requirements, not just the amount remaining to be found after the attribution of Government grant. The community charge figures published on 23 June for local authority areas in Derbyshire and Staffordshire included expenditure of £643 and £595 per adult for those councils, respectively. Those expenditure levels are £55 and £3 per adult, respectively, greater than the needs assessments for those councils and add those amounts to the community charges there.