New Clause 11 — Payment of additional grant

Bills Presented — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Relocation to Bristol) Bill – in the House of Commons at 10:00 pm on 31 January 2012.

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Votes in this debate

  • Division number 449
    A majority of MPs voted against requiring central government reimbursing local councils for the full costs of their council tax reduction schemes for people in financial need.

‘The Secretary of State shall be required to pay an additional grant to a local authority if, at the end of any financial year, the total expenditure incurred by the authority under any scheme approved pursuant to Schedule 4 of this Act is greater than the amount of grant received from the Secretary of State to fund the scheme. The amount paid to the authority shall be the difference between the sum originally received and the total cost to the authority of the scheme.’.—(Helen Jones.)

Brought up.

Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill.

The Committee divided:

Ayes 225, Noes 309.

Division number 449 Local Government Finance Bill — New Clause 11 — Central Government Funding of Full Costs of Council Tax Reduction Schemes

A majority of MPs voted against requiring central government reimbursing local councils for the full costs of their council tax reduction schemes for people in financial need.

Aye: 225 MPs

No: 299 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Absent: 122 MPs

Absent: A-Z by last name

Question accordingly negatived.

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Bill, as amended, reported.

Bill to be considered tomorrow.

Photo of David Winnick David Winnick Labour, Walsall North

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I know that Mr Speaker is very keen to defend the rights of Back Benchers. Tomorrow, as you know, we will debate Lords amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill. The first amendment, on employment and support allowance, deals with cancer patients and others. Obviously, I do not want to go into its merits or otherwise now. I have checked with the Clerks, and I am concerned because, whatever time that debate starts, it must end at half-past two. After Prime Minister’s questions and the ten-minute rule Bill, there would be an opportunity to debate the amendment for nearly two hours. However, if there is a statement or other parliamentary business, a matter that concerns many of our constituents could be debated for just half an hour. I therefore ask you, Madam Deputy Speaker, whether anything can be done to give at least nearly two hours to debating such a crucial issue.

Photo of Dawn Primarolo Dawn Primarolo Deputy Speaker (Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)

The hon. Gentleman, who is an experienced Member, is correct to say that Mr Speaker takes defending Back Benchers’ rights very seriously. However, he also knows that timetabling Bills is not a matter for the Chair, but for the House. I am sure that all those present will bear his comments in mind.