Local Government Finance Bill

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Helen Jones

Tuesday 31st January 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Temporary Chair (Miss Anne McIntosh)]

In view of the debate that we have just had, and the nature of the next two groups of amendments, I inform the Committee that I am unlikely to allow a separate debate on clause 8 stand part.

[Helen Jones]

I beg to move amendment 66, page 5, line 6, at end insert—

‘(1A) In exercising its powers under section 1(b) the authority must have regard to the impact of the scheme on—

(a) those persons in the area who are in employment or actively seeking employment, and

(b) the levels of poverty in the area, including the levels of child poverty.’.

[The Temporary Chair]

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

Amendment 49, page 5, line 17, at end insert—

‘(4A) In exercising its powers under subsection (1)(b), each authority must have regard to the impact of its scheme on the living standards of those persons in its area who, prior to the introduction of the scheme, were receiving council tax benefit.

(4B) In exercising its powers under subsection (1)(b), each authority must have regard to the impact of its scheme on the living standards of those persons in its area, below pensionable age, who are in employment or are actively seeking employment.’.

Amendment 59, page 5, line 28, leave out ‘2013’ and insert ‘2014’.

Amendment 60, page 5, line 29, leave out ‘2013’ and insert ‘2014’.

Amendment 67, in schedule 4, page 47, line 6, at end insert ‘and set out the steps which the local authority will take to ensure that—

(a) persons entitled to a reduction will be made aware of their entitlement, and

(b) assistance is available to such persons who wish to make an application.’.

Amendment 56, in schedule 4, page 48, line 7, at end insert—

(e) require authorities to have regard to the impact of its scheme on—

(i) the numbers of persons in its area expected to receive a greater or lesser reduction in council tax than that which they had been entitled to receive under council tax benefit, and the amounts by which their entitlement are likely to increase or reduce,

(ii) the living standards of such persons,

(iii) the financial incentive on persons below pensionable age to seek or maintain employment.’.

Amendment 68, in schedule 4, page 48, line 15, at end insert—

‘including local charities, organisations providing advice on benefits and organisations representing older people.’.

Amendment 54,  page 48, line 39, at end insert—

(f) include estimates of the likely impact of its scheme on the living standards of those persons in its area who have been receiving council tax benefit.’.

Amendment 57,  page 48, line 44, leave out ‘2013’ and insert ‘2014’.

Amendment 58,  page 49, line 5, leave out ‘2013’ and insert ‘2014’.

Amendment 70,  page 49, line 13, at end insert—

‘In considering the need for replacement or revision of the scheme the authority must have regard to the impact of any such revision or replacement on the living standards of people in the area including—

(a) those of working age in employment and actively seeking work,

(b) those in receipt of benefits including disability benefits, and

(c) persons of pensionable age.’.

Amendment 71,  page 50, line 23, at end insert—

‘Before issuing such guidance the Secretary of State must have regard to the impact on—

(a) those of working age in employment and actively seeking work,

(b) those in receipt of benefits including disability benefits, and

(c) persons of pensionable age.’.

[Helen Jones]

This group of amendments deals with the impact of the proposed changes in council tax benefit on some of the poorest people in the country. One of the keys to this issue is something that we started to debate when discussing the previous group of amendments—the fact that people in the same circumstances will no longer receive the same type of benefit. Entitlement will depend on where a person lives and on the population of that area. That is a major change to the way that we treat people in this country. The circumstances of someone who lives in Birmingham could be exactly the same as those of someone living in Bradford, but their benefit could now be different. Someone who lives in Chichester could be treated differently from someone who lives in Carlisle.