§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish(a) his latest estimates of the total numbers of people who will be exempt from the poll tax, (b) the estimates for each category of exempt persons, (c) the exact mechanism for applying these figures to the calculation of relevant population for each local authority, and (d) the procedure for reimbursing local authorities for poll tax forgone due to exemptions.
§ Mr. David HuntThe table provides the figures requested.
On 6 November the Secretary of State placed in the Library a draft population report which sets out his proposals for calculating relevant population. It is the Government's intention that relevant population should be based on the number of people shown in community charge registers on 1 December 1989 as being subject to a personal community charge. Our estimates of numbers exempt do not feature in this calculation, except if community charge registration officers do not return the necessary information to my Department in time, or in other circumstances as specified in the draft population report.
Revenue support grant will be paid to each receiving authority to ensure that if all local authorities spend at the level of their standard spending assessment, the community charge could be set at the same level in each area regardless of the number exempt. The grant calculation assumes that the community charge is paid only by the relevant population, which excludes exempt people.
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Assumed number exempt in England (Rounded to nearest hundred) Number Residents in hospitals or homes 400,000 Persons in detention 46,800 18 and 19 year olds 155,300 Visiting forces 50,800 Severely mentally impaired 160,000
Number Others 9,000 Total 821,900
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in theOfficial Report recalculations of the tables in annexe J of card 9714 "Paying for Local Government" on the basis of (a) his statement and consultation papers of 6 November, but without his scheme of transitional relief and (b) his statement and consultation papers of 6 November, including his scheme of transitional relief; and if he will make a statement of the effect of his scheme of transitional relief on the pattern of gainers and losers under the poll tax.
§ Mr. David HuntUpdated estimates of the distributional impact of the new system of local government finance will be provided shortly. These figures will include the impact of the transitional relief scheme.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the community charge liability of(a) deaf and blind adults living at home with their parents and (b) deaf and blind adults living in residential institutions.
§ Mr. ChopeI will write to my hon. Friend.
Year Net domestic rate income Per cent. Net non-domestic rate income Per cent. All Government grants Per cent. 1982–83 4,548 13 5,685 17 13,697 40 1983–84 4,382 12 6,042 17 15,985 44 1984–85 4,707 12 6,361 17 16,717 43 1985–86 5,094 13 6,740 17 17,246 43 1986–87 5,912 14 7,566 18 17,773 42 1987–88 6,539 14 8,088 18 18,624 41 Notes:
1. Percentages shown represent proportions of gross expenditure; that is, both current and capital expenditure. The other major sources of income are fees and charges and borrowing. 1987–88 is the most recent year for which this data is available.
2. Domestic rate income is shown net of rate relief grant and net of rate rebate grants.