§ 22. Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he anticipates will be the average level of rate increases if local authorities maintain their real level of spending in 1984–85.
§ 64. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the average rate increase in England in 1984–85 which would be necessary on the assumption that present levels of provision are maintained.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinIt would depend on how each local authority budgets next year to increase costs —especially wage costs.
§ 53. Mr. Moynihanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities in England where current rates net of precepts are lower than they were in 1979.
§ Mr. WaldegraveBetween 1979–80 and 1983–84 there were reductions in the reported average local rate poundages in the following shire districts:
- Bath
- Dover
- Eastbourne
- Hove
- Medway
- North Dorset
- Slough
- Waveney
- Yeovil
Comparisons of local rate poundages between these two years are not meaningful because of the change in the method of distribution of rate support grant that took place in 1981–82; that is, when needs and resources elements were replaced by block grant.