HC Deb 16 March 1979 vol 964 cc383-4W
Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost to local authorities of 50 per cent. rate relief to charities during the current financial year; what was the cost in each of the last five financial years; what is his estimate of the cost to local authorities of discretionary rate relief above the 50 per cent. mandatory relief during the current financial year; and what was the cost during each of the last five financial years.

Mr. Guy Barnett

We estimate that the cost to local authorities of granting the 50 per cent. mandatory relief to charities has been as follows:

  • 1976–77—£25–30 million.
  • 1977–78—about £30 million.
  • 1978–79—£30–35 million.

The rateable value of the relevant hereditaments has been taken into account in the distribution of the resources element of rate support grant for 1978–79.

I regret that information is not available in respect of previous years, nor in respect of the cost of granting discretionary rate relief.