§ Mr. HendersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing in each authority and by region(a)the number of people and (b)the number of households gaining and losing from the introduction of the council tax.
§ Mr. HowardI estimate that, before taking account of council tax benefit, some 9 million households in England will be paying less under the council tax than under the community charge.
More households will gain when allowance is made for council tax benefit. At present I expect that, after allowing for council tax benefit, about six out of 10 households will gain. I am placing in the Library tables showing council tax levels and budgets for local authorities in England with community charge and rates comparisons. I will write to the hon. Member shortly giving detailed information on gainers and losers net of council tax benefit by area.