HC Deb 23 May 1988 vol 134 cc78-9W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what minimum payment of the community charge, including community water charge, would have been payable by pensioners on basic retirement pension income in the current financial year, for each local authority; if he will express each sum payable as a percentage of the total community charge in that area; and if he will make a statement about the average proportion of the community charge which will have to be met by those on low incomes.

Mr. Howard

[holding answer 16 May 1988]: In all cases pensioners wholly reliant on state pensions will be eligible for 80 per cent. reductions in their community charges. The amounts payable in each local authority area in England are, therefore, 20 per cent. of the illustrative community charge figures published on 27 June 1987. No community water charge will be payable in England.