§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what level of total council tax discount was made in each local authority in England and Wales for the last five years for which figures are available in respect of(a) furnished second residences privately owned for recreational investment or other private purposes, (b) all categories of privately owned empty properties, whether furnished or substantially unfurnished, (c) properties available to the armed forces or visiting forces accommodation, (d) halls of residence and (e) other categories subject to a 50 per cent. discount; and what was the total amount. [19432]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe information is not available in the breakdown requested, and reliable estimates are not available for individual local authorities.
The council tax bill for a dwelling that is no-one's main home, or where all the occupants are disregarded for council tax purposes is currently reduced by 50 per cent. in each local authority in England. In 2001–02 in England 588,942 properties were entitled to a 50 per cent. discount, at a total estimated cost of £220 million. Of this total, it is estimated that £80 million relates to second homes, £125 million relates to empty homes and £15 million relates to dwellings where all the occupants are disregarded.
29WIn addition, the following classes of dwellings prescribed in legislation are exempt from council tax:
Class A
Exemption for: Empty and substantially unfurnished dwellings where works are required, under way or recently completed (valid for up to 12 months)Class B
Exemption for: Empty dwellings owned by charitiesClass C
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty and substantially unfurnished (valid for up to 6 months)Class D
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by prisonersClass E
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by patients in hospitals and care homesClass F
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by deceased personsClass G
Exemption for: Dwellings where occupation is prohibited by public lawClass H
Exemption for: Empty clergy dwellingsClass I
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by people receiving careClass J
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by people providing careClass K
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by studentsClass L
Exemption for: Repossessed dwellingsClass M
Exemption for: Halls of residenceClass N
Exemption for: Dwellings occupied only by students or school leaversClass O
Exemption for: Armed forces' accommodationClass P
Exemption for: Visiting forces' accommodationClass Q
Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by bankruptsClass R
Exemption for: Empty caravan pitches and boat mooringsClass S
Exemption for: Dwellings occupied by minors onlyClass T
Exemption for: Empty annexes which cannot be let separatelyClass U
Exemption for: Dwellings occupied only by persons who are severely mentally impairedClass W
Exemption for: Annexes occupied by dependent relatives.In 2001–02, 646,128 properties in England were exempt from paying council tax at a total estimated cost of £480 million. Of this total, we estimate that £50 million relates to accommodation for armed forces or visiting forces, and £15 million relates to halls of residence.
30W"Council Tax: A consultation paper on proposed changes for second homes and long term empty homes" was published by DTLR on 23 November 2001. This paper invites views on a range of proposed changes to council tax discounts and exemptions in England, and includes questions on how best to define second homes and long-term empty homes.
Operation of the council tax system in Wales is a devolved matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the anticipated average percentage change in Band D council tax in England in 2002–03. [19889]
§ Dr. WhiteheadDecisions on council tax are for local authorities to take, after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers.
§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the likely use of his reserve powers to regulate council tax set by English local authorities in 2002–03. [19890]
§ Dr. WhiteheadDecisions on council tax are for local authorities to take, after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers. This Government do not operate a system of crude and universal pre-announced capping.
§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which the Government would use their reserve powers to regulate the Greater London Authority council tax precept. [19891]
§ Dr. WhiteheadDecisions on the GLA council tax precept are for the GLA to take, after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers. This Government do not operate a system of crude and universal pre-announced capping.
§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what impact the heightened state of alert against terrorism will have on the level of council tax in English local authorities in the context of increased civil defence and emergency planning expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [19596]
§ Dr. WhiteheadDecisions on council tax levels are a matter for local authorities after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week made available an additional £30 million towards the extra security pressures on police authorities in England and Wales for 2001–02.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action the Government are taking in respect of the charging of council tax on empty homes. [19603]
§ Dr. Whitehead"Council Tax: A consultation paper on proposed changes for second homes and long term empty homes" was published by DTLR on Friday 23 November.
Copies of this consultation paper have been placed in the House of Commons Library and can be found at www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/ctax/2homes