§ Mr.Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of the numbers and average amounts of rate rebate granted in 1978–79 in England and Wales in total and by rating district; what proportion of each tenure group received rate rebates; and if he will estimate the number of householders eligible for a rate rebate but not claiming in that year.
§ Mr.Geoffrey FinsbergIn 1978–79, in England and Wales, the total number of householders who received rate rebates was 2.6 million and the average rebate granted was about £56. The figures for each rating authority are contained in a list that I have placed in the Library. The proportion of householders in each tenure group that received rebates is set out below.
Proportion receiving rebates Tenure group Per cent Ratepayers who receive rate demands directly from the council (which includes all owner occupiers and some private tenants) 12 Local authority tenants 20 Private tenants paying rates indirectly with rent to the landlord 8½ All tenure groups 14½ Precise figures are not available but I estimate that the number of households eligible for a rate rebate but not claiming as about 1.13 million.
The evidence suggests that it is in the private rented sector especially that take-up is low. A publicity campaign is being launched this week to encourage a greater take-up both of rate rebates and of rent allowances and rebates.