HC Deb 08 March 1999 vol 327 cc8-9W
Jackie Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will estimate the financial impact of the changes made to advance corporation tax since May 1997 on local authority budgets for 1999–2000; [74948]

(2) if he will estimate the cost per council tax payer for 1999–2000 by local authority of the changes to advance corporation tax introduced since 1 May 1997. [74947]

Ms Armstrong

Actuarial assessments of the impact on local authority pension funds as a result of changes to advance corporation tax are not yet available for all funds. The Local Government Association, following a national survey last year, estimated the impact at £ 130 million. This was taken into account in the Revenue Support Grant Settlement for 1999–2000. It is not possible to say how these changes will impact on council tax. Local authorities will need to take into account all the relevant local circumstances in deciding on budgets and hence council taxes.