§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the Government intend to allocate the council tax received from empty homes. [168374]
§ Mr. RaynsfordA dwelling, which is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished is exempt from council tax for a period of up to six months. A dwelling which 785W is unoccupied, substantially unfurnished and either requires, is undergoing or has undergone within the last six months major repair work to make it habitable or is undergoing or has undergone within the last six months major repair work or structural alteration is exempt for a period of up to 12 months. After the exempt period, council tax is payable. Until 31 March 2004, a 50 per cent. discount applied but now local billing authorities may choose to reduce or remove this discount. The additional council tax raised from reducing or removing the discount on long term empty homes will be taken into account in the calculation of formula grant in due course. The Government have no role in the allocation of council tax received from empty homes.