Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Betts Excerpts

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Williams]

I take the hon. Lady’s point, but the transfer of public health from the NHS to local government is a welcome reform by this Government that builds on what was done on public health in her own city by Joe Chamberlain back in the 19th century. It is a major opportunity for local government to address health inequalities, including in cities such as hers.

[Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)]

Both the National Audit Office and the Local Government Association have expressed concerns that unless there is a change of policy, some councils are simply not going to be able to make ends meet over the next two or three years. The Government have powers under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 to help councils in that situation, but Ministers have also pointed out that there is potential to use a referendum to increase council tax. Who would vote for an increase in council tax in such circumstances unless the Government make it absolutely clear in advance the criteria under which they will use section 31 powers? Can the Minister tell us what they will be?

[Stephen Williams]

The Government will make the referendum criteria clear shortly, but council tax bills are a major part of every household’s budget—often far more significant than utility bills—and it is right that, rather than mandating local authorities or imposing caps as previous Governments did, this Government should give those in local government the discretion to raise council tax if they wish while expecting them to go to the people to get endorsement of that decision.