Local Government Finance

Heidi Alexander Excerpts

Wednesday 8th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

I am disappointed, however, that a small minority of town halls, it appears, plan to reject the money, and some are going to the very limit of what they can raise without triggering a vote.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

The Minister makes great play of the council tax freeze, but does he accept that the Government’s 10% reduction in council tax benefit will actually result in a council tax increase for some of the poorest people in the country?

[Grant Shapps]

The hon. Lady seeks to bring us on to a completely different area of local financing, but we can cover some of that. The council tax benefit localisation is not a key part of the settlement today, but I am happy to talk about it.