§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish details of the community charge rebate scheme that is to be implemented in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe Housing Benefit (Community Charge Rebates) (Scotland) Regulations 1988 have been laid before Parliament today. These provide for the making of community charge rebates by local authorities in Scotland during the year April 1989 to March 1990. The community charge rebate scheme will provide rebates of up to 80 per cent. People who are getting income support or have an 643W income that is equal to or lower than their income support level will receive the maximum rebate. People whose incomes are higher may still be entitled to a rebate; for each £1 that their income rises, their rebate will be reduced by 15p. Everybody in Scotland who is liable to pay a full personal community charge or collective community charge contributions will be able to apply for a rebate, and their needs and resources will be assessed in the same way that claims for housing benefit are assessed now. There will be the same arrangements for taking capital into account, so people with capital over £8,000 will be expected to pay their full charge. In the case of couples, only one partner will need to claim rebate on behalf of both partners, but the rebate will be paid to both partners individually.