§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the increase in rates, he will seek to amend the Rate Rebates Scheme to alleviate the burden, particularly on those on fixed incomes.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe qualifying income limits for rate rebate were increased last autumn, and where a ratepayer qualifies for rebate, he has, generally speaking, to pay only one third of any increase in his rate bill. I have no proposals at present for further changes in the rate rebate scheme but the rating system as a whole is under consideration as part of our review of local government finance.