The Live Wire



Press Release

LGA response to government announcement on council tax

31 October 2011

Responding to the announcement from the Local Government Secretary, Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, on changes to council tax arrangements, Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman of the LGA commented:

“Local authorities believe in greater local decision making and flexibility over taxation, including council tax. Any new way to achieve this, such as the plans over second homes and empty homes, is a positive step.

"There are other council tax discounts remaining – which cost hard pressed taxpayers many millions of pounds. The government should look at these - ensuring that fairness and ability to pay are top priorities.

“New tools for councils to make the most out of existing empty housing are also important as they can be used to drive down waiting lists.

“However, councils have already been given a 10% cut in Council Tax Benefit - leaving them out of pocket – so passing on any savings to local people will be difficult. Any decisions on this, or any other proposal on paying council tax in installments, should be made locally by individual local authorities.

“Local government is the most efficient part of the public sector – providing good value for money for taxpayers and where possible councils will look to reduce the burden on hard pressed families.”



Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.

Local Government Association

Local Government Association

More from Dods

© Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd