§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his latest estimate is of the costs of(a) council tax administration and (b) council tax benefit administration; and if he will make a statement. [156595]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's latest estimate based on 2003–04 Budget Estimate Returns from English local authorities is £337 million for council tax administration costs, and £235.7 million for council tax benefit administration costs. In 2003–04, council tax collection costs may include a small amount of NDR, rate (domestic and non-domestic) and community charge collection costs.