Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential financial impact of Council Tax equalisation following local government reorganisation on low-income households.

Council tax is managed by local authorities, who decide what level of council tax they wish to set. There is an established system for the locally-led harmonisation of council tax levels across the area of a restructured local authority area. The government will continue to set referendum principles each year and any authority which sets a council tax increase above the principles must have it approved by voters.

Councils are required to put in place local council tax support schemes to support low-income households. Pension-age council tax support is centrally prescribed and provides reductions of up to 100% for those on the lowest incomes,. Support for working age households is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities.