Spending Commitments to Local Councils

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

Monday 22nd July 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts (Con)]

My Lords, what plans do the Government have to update the council tax bandings? They were last reviewed in 1991 so are now virtually meaningless.

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

We know that the council tax banding system has been around for a very long time. In recent years, it has been important to keep the stability of funding for local councils because of the pressure they have been under. We will continue to make sure we get the balance right between local autonomy on funding and the financial pressure on residents. However, long-term funding stability in the wider local government funding system should help that. As for looking at the banding system, that could cause the kind of disruption that would make life even more difficult for local authorities.