Lord Bownessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to transfer payment of council tax benefit from the Department of Social Security to local authorities; and if they do, whether it will be on the basis that local authorities are indemnified as to the total cost of the payments and their administration. [HL2365]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)Payment of council tax benefit is the responsibility of local authorities and is made under the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulation 1992 (SI 1992/1814). The cost to local authorities of benefit payments and administration is funded through central government subsidy and the local government finance system.