§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he intends to make compensation adjustments as a result of the abolition of council tax benefit subsidy penalty for Devon county council's settlement for 2002–03; [27309]
(2) by what percentage the £1.4 million Devon county council will benefit from in 2002–03 will be reduced as a result of the abolition of council tax benefit subsidy penalty. [27310]
§ Dr. WhiteheadNo adjustments will be made to any local authority's settlement figures for 2002–03 as a result of the abolition of the council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme. Like other local authorities, Devon county council will no longer need to make, or include in its budget requirement, a contribution under the scheme for 2002–03 or future years. It will therefore benefit from the abolition of the scheme. The figure of £1.4 million is its contribution to benefit costs under the scheme in 2001–02.