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/Principal Regeneration Officer

Fareham Borough Council
£45,465 - £55,379
Our town centre regeneration is moving from planning to delivery, and we're looking for someone who wants to help make regeneration happen. Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Social Worker

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£40,260 - £54,507
Social Worker£... London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

S106 and Monitoring Officer

Essex County Council
£49435.1400 - £54930.6000 per annum
Maldon District Council is working in partnership with Essex Shared Services to support the recruitment of the role of a S106 and Monitoring Officer, England, Essex, Maldon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Trainee Revenues and Benefits Officer (Part Time)

Isle of Wight Council
Career Grade 3-6, £26,017 to £29,071 per annum pro-rata (actual salary £17,227.47 to £19,249.72)
The Benefits team is currently seeking a part-time Trainee Revenues and Benefits Officers Ryde, Isle of Wight
Recuriter: Isle of Wight Council

Legal Officer

Isle of Wight Council
Grade 9, £35,572 to £38,726 per annum
Ideally you will be a qualified paralegal or will offer an equivalent qualification or experience. Newport, Isle of Wight
Recuriter: Isle of Wight Council
Linkedin Banner