§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list by local authority the level of(a) rent and (b) council tax arrears in each year since 1992 in England and Wales. [38323]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 27 February 2002]: On rent arrears, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 January 2002. Official Report, column 979W to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane), which provided information on rent arrears by local authority in England.
On council tax arrears, central Government do not collect information on the level of council tax arrears in England. However, estimates are available from 1 April 1995 on the total amount of council tax arrears in England. This information is given in the table.
£ billion Estimated amount of council tax arrears for England 1 April 1995 0.8 1 April 1996 1.1 1 April 1997 1.1 1 April 1998 1.1 1 April 1999 1.2 1 April 2000 1.2 1 April 2001 1.4 The council tax was introduced on 1 April 1993 as a replacement for the community charge (or poll tax). Requests for information about rent arrears and council tax arrears in Wales should be directed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.