HC Deb 21 May 2004 vol 421 c1278W
Mr. Edward Davey

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost to(a) the Valuation Office Agency, (b) the Valuation Tribunals and (c) central Government of administering (i) council tax and (ii) council tax benefit was in financial year 2001–02. [174359]

Mr. Raynsford

The information is as follows:

  1. (a)
    1. (i) The Valuation Office Agency (VGA) budget for council tax costs in 2001–02 was £13.3 million,
    2. (ii) The VGA does not deal with council tax benefit cases.
  2. (b) The cost of Valuation Tribunals administering council tax is not separately identified. The overall expenditure of the valuation tribunal in 2001–02 was £9.31 million.
  3. (c) The Government are responsible for the policy and legislation rather than the administration of council tax and council tax benefit.