§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many properties in Herefordshire qualify for 50 per cent, council tax discount for second homes; what is the cost to the Herefordshire Council of this discount; and if he will make a statement. [124536]
§ Ms Beverley HughesHerefordshire Unitary Authority has 2,266 properties in 2000–01 that qualify for a 50 per cent, discount. Not all dwellings that receive the discount are second homes, and the Department does not collect separate information on these dwellings. The 50 per cent, discount applies to all unoccupied dwellings and certain occupied dwellings such as those where all of the residents are disregarded, for example households consisting of someone severely disabled and their carer.
If a local authority has a reduced tax base because it has dwellings subject to a discount or exemption, it will receive more grant from the Government.