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

Senior Product Manager - Social Care

Essex County Council
£63323.0000 - £74497.0000 per annum
Senior Product Manager - Social CareFixed Term, Full Time£63,323 to £74,497 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Traffic Management and Road Safety Engineer

North Yorkshire Council
£29,064 - £34,434 per annum
Are you interested in a career in traffic engineering and would love the opportunity to learn whilst you earn? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Road Safety Engineer

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum
Are you looking for a role that can make a real difference to road safety and people’s lives in North Yorkshire? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Quantity Surveyor

Royal Borough of Greenwich
PO4 - £49,056 - £52,194
The Royal Borough of Greenwich Repairs and Investment Section Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £28,142 - £31,022
The Team provides an effective and efficient Assessment and Care Management service to adults 18 years and over with a physical disability, older peop Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner