RESTRICTION OF COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT

Early day motion 511, tabled 26 November 1997 by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 45 members.

That this House regrets the Government's decision to restrict Council Tax Benefit for people who live in properties in band F,G and H to the level for band E; notes that those affected will be expected to meet the shortfall from their basic benefit payments; calls attention to the Department of Social Security figures that show vulnerable groups will be disproportionately affected, since out of an estimated 65,000 claims affected, there will be 30,000 elderly, 5,000 disabled, 10,000 lone parents, and 5,000 couples with children; believes that local authorities will be faced with the expensive task of collecting relatively small sums of money from persons who cannot afford to pay; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to withdraw the Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997 No.1841).

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 40, Labour 5.