HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 cc116-7W
Nick Harvey

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to abolish the 50 per cent, discount on council tax for empty homes; and if he will make a statement. [82715]

Mr. McNulty

My right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich announced in a written statement on 19 November that we would be giving English local authorities the discretion to reduce or remove the current 50 per cent, council tax discount on long-term empty property. We are including the necessary provision in our forthcoming Local Government Bill and, subject to parliamentary approval, we aim to implement this change in time for 2004–05 council tax bills.