Laura Sharman 02 March 2022

MP calls for clarity on support for councils to manage tax rebate

MP calls for clarity on support for councils to manage tax rebate image
Image: Vitalii Vodolazskyi / Shutterstock.com

The Government has been urged to explain what support local authorities will receive to help manage the burden of administrating the £150 council tax rebate scheme.

Clive Betts, chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, has written to Michael Gove to raise a series of concerns about the rebate.

This includes how qualifying households without a bank account will receive the payment, the access to the rebate for those not paying their council tax by direct debit, and what happens if a landlord pays the council tax on behalf of their tenant.

Mr Betts also asks the secretary of state about the burden placed on local authorities of 'managing the allocation of 20 million one-off payments'.

'The Government has made significant efforts to get good headlines for introducing the £150 rebate. However, it has now left local authorities with the headache of managing the allocation of these payments,' said Mr Betts.

'Additionally, it has now emerged that access to the rebate will be difficult for those who do not pay through direct debit. The Government needed to ensure that qualifying households received prompt support, but have instead imposed the burden of responsibility and bureaucracy on to local authorities.

He added: 'The rebate is welcome but we need to know more from Whitehall about what they are doing to support local councils deliver this policy and provide firm assurances that councils will not be hit by further costs from administering the rebates.'

Councils are urging residents to set up a direct debit to pay their council tax bill in order to get the £150 energy rebate payment as quickly as possible.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Café Assistant - Harlow Library & ACL Centre

Essex County Council
Up to £25959.0000 per annum
Café Assistant - Harlow Library & ACL CentrePermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,959 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Lead Officer - Housing ICT (CX Asset Management) - EFDC

Essex County Council
£500.0000 - £650.0000 per day
Lead Officer - Housing ICT (CX Asset Management) - Epping Forest District CouncilRemote Worker £500-£650 per day Umbrella, dependant on experiencePart England, Essex, Epping
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Lead Officer - Housing ICT (Cx Housing) - EFDC

Essex County Council
£500.0000 - £650.0000 per day
Lead Officer - Housing ICT (Cx Housing)- Epping Forest District Council Remote Worker £500-£650 per day Umbrella, dependant on experience Part-Time,3 England, Essex, Epping
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Part Time Vocational Trainer - Health and Social Care

Essex County Council
£38466.00 - £45254.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Vocational Trainer - Health and Social Care - South EssexPermanent, Part Time£29,468 to £34,668 Per Annum (full time equivalent) Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Procurement Support Officer

Essex County Council
£25959.00 - £28621.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Procurement Support OfficerPermanent, Full Time£25,959 to £28,621 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner