Local Authorities: Financial Difficulties - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:06 am on 14 February 2024.

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Photo of Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston Non-affiliated 11:06, 14 February 2024

My Lords, I stress the need to review the local government financial settlements and support systems. In the case of a city such as Birmingham, even if increasing the council tax were realistic, a quarter of households—some 461,000 —are eligible for council tax support, and of those, 75,000 pay no council tax at all. Over the next two years, the city is facing a budget gap of some £300 million. Does the Minister agree that the structure needs to be reviewed and that individual circumstances have to be taken into account?