§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to analyse the potential effects of council tax revaluation on the levels of council tax benefit restriction; and if he will make a statement. [68906]
§ Malcolm WicksCouncil Tax revaluation will start in 2005 and Council Tax bills based on updated property values will be issued in 2007. Nearer the time, when the implications of Council Tax revaluation become clear, we will consider what impact this may have on Council Tax Benefit restrictions.
§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the annual saving has been to the Exchequer since the council tax benefit restriction scheme was introduced; [70033]
(2) what average cost was borne by each restricted household in (a) band F, (b) band G arid (c) band H in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region, in the most recent year for which figures are available; [70026]
(3) how many council tax benefit cases there were in (a) band F, (b) band G and (c) band Hr in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region in the most recent year for which figures are available; [70027]
(4) how many and what percentage of council tax benefit claims restricted to band E are (a) owner occupied and (b) rented in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region; [70029]
1038W(5)how many and what percentage of council tax benefit cases are (a) owner occupied and (b) rented in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region; [70028]
(6) how many and what percentage of council tax benefit claims were restricted to band E for (a) all properties, (b) RSLs and (c) local authority properties in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region in the most recent year for which figures are available; [70030]
(7) how many restricted council tax benefit cases there were in (a) band F, (b) band G and (c) band H for (i) England and (ii) each Government office region in the most recent year for which figures are available. [70025]
§ Malcolm WicksWe do not believe it is right that people living in more expensive properties and who therefore have a higher council tax liability, should, as a matter of course, have all that liability met by taxpayers.
Since 2 July 2001, local authorities have been able to make discretionary housing payments to people entitled to housing benefit and council tax benefit who require additional help with their rent or council tax, including those people whose council tax benefit has been restricted. These payments are at the discretion of the local authority and subject to an annual cash limit. For 2002–03, the Government are contributing £20 million nationally towards the overall limit of £50 million which local authorities can spend.
Comparative data from which to calculate the actual reduction in spending since the restrictions were introduced in April 1998, are not available.
Such other information as is available has been placed in the Library.