HC Deb 02 March 2004 vol 418 cc839-40W
Mr. Truswell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list by type of authority(a) the Band D council tax level set by each local authority for 2004–05, excluding precepts, (b) the percentage change of (a) from 2003–04, (c) the precept set by the authority's relevant Fire and Civil Defence Authority for 2004–05, (d) the percentage annual change represented by (c), (e) the precept set by the relevant police authority for 2004–05, (f) the percentage annual change represented by (e), (g) the sum total of (a), (c) and (e) and (h) the percentage change of (g) compared to 2003–04. [156991]

Mr. Raynsford

Precepting authorities have until 1 March to set their council taxes for 2004–05, and billing authorities have until 11 March. The requested information will be published after all local authorities have set their council taxes and notified their figures to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total grant received from his Department is in Durham to compensate for loss in revenue from council tax consequent on student exemption from council tax. [156779]

Mr. Raynsford

There is no separate grant in respect of council tax revenue foregone through student exemptions.

The main central Government support for spending by the City of Durham is through redistributed business rates and Revenue Support Grant, together known as Formula Grant. The amount of Formula Grant for Durham City depends on Durham's Formula Spending Share, Durham's share of the assumed national council tax, Durham's council tax base, and the operation of the floor and ceiling damping mechanism. Where there are student exemptions this will reduce the council tax base and so result in additional Revenue Support Grant.