§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish estimates of the average change in total household costs to families living in the areas covered by the valleys initiative when the change over is made from domestic rates to the poll tax.
§ Mr. Peter Walker[holding answer 20 June 1988]: It is not possible to make an estimate of the full effects for the area. The effects upon particular households will be influenced by the assistance which will be available to those on low incomes. Those on income support will receive an automatic 80 per cent. reduction in their community charge bill and their income support will include an uprating (based on the average for Great Britain) to help them meet the remaining 20 per cent. There will also be lesser reductions in community charge bills for people on low incomes but above income support levels.
What can be said generally is that most single-parent families, widows and widowers living alone, and many other single householders are likely to benefit substantially. Many households with more than two people over the age of 18 will contribute more towards the cost of local services. But in fact only 14 per cent. of local government expenditure will come from the community charge; 66 per cent. will come from central Government grant and the remaining 20 per cent. from non-domestic rates.