HC Deb 16 June 1989 vol 154 cc569-70W
Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received about the impact of the community charge on the residents of almshouses who currently receive the benefit of mandatory or discretionary rate relief; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

[holding answer 13 June 1989]: I continue to receive representations on all aspects of the community charge.

Rate relief for almshouses arises because they are used for charitable purposes. With the introduction of the community charge they will no longer be subject to rating. The community charge is a personal liability which is not linked to the status or value of the property occupied by the chargepayer. Protection for people on low incomes,

Number of unemployed claimants by duration in the United Kingdom
11983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 April 1989
0–6 months 1,303,262 1,318,098 1,341,831 1,352,052 1,206,243 1,004,031 794,075
percentage of total 43–4 41.7 40.9 40.8 40.0 41.4 42.2
Over 6 months 1,696,541 1,840,157 1,939,523 1,960,331 1,809,307 1,421,895 1,098,506
percentage of total 56.6 58.3 59.1 59.2 6.00 58.6 57.8
6–12 months 599,848 610,779 607,263 606,079 549,276 431,006 345,386
percentage of total 2.00 19.3 18.5 18.3 18.2 17.8 18.3
Over 12 months 1,096,693 1,229,378 1,332,260 1,354,252 1,260,030 990,889 744,120
percentage of total 36.6 38.9 40.6 40.9 41.8 40.8 39.5
12–24 months 572,894 557,781 538,746 509,233 463,082 329,301 252,454

including residents of almshouses, will be provided through rebates of up to 80 per cent. of the community charge plus, where appropriate, an amount included in income support in respect of the remaining 20 per cent.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received concering exemption for disabled people from the community charge, also known as the poll tax.

Mr. Gummer

[holding answer 14 June 1989]: I have received a large number of representations on this subject. People who are severely mentally impaired as defined in schedule 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 are already exempt from the community charge. Others will be liable to pay the community charge, as they now are to pay domestic rates if they are rateable occupiers of domestic properties, and, depending upon their income, would be entitled to rebates. Disabled people with limited means receive particular help under the community charge rebates scheme.