Local Government Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:49 pm on 7 January 2003.

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Photo of Mr Bill O'Brien Mr Bill O'Brien Labour, Normanton 4:49, 7 January 2003

On council tax, my right hon. Friend made a statement early in December on the new formula for local authority funding. The proposals are out for consultation and I am sure that he is receiving a substantial number of representations from members of SIGOMA—the special interest group of municipal authorities—and other authorities about the impact of gearing, which will affect the council tax level. As the Bill will be considered in Committee after the date on which the consultation is due to finish, will he address the problems that some authorities are facing in relation to gearing? There is a need to ensure fairness in council taxes under the new formula, so that no local authority faces excessive council tax problems.