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8 May 2006 : Column 97W—continued
Homelessness
Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless households were accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need in the East of England in 2004-05; and how many such households contained (a) (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three or more children and (b) an expectant mother but no other children. [60204]
Yvette Cooper: The total number of households accepted during 2004-05 by local authorities in the East of England Government office region as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need was 10,150, of which 5,020 contained dependent children. Of these 5,020, 2,820 had one child, 1,370 had two children and 830 had three or more children. An additional 1,410 households contained an expectant mother, but no other dependent children.
Local Government (Representation)
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of the merits of introducing single member wards in the metropolitan districts in England. [67255]
Mr. Woolas: We have launched a public debate about the governance arrangements for local areas. We are listening to all views on governance arrangements, some of which may have implications for electoral arrangements in local authorities. We plan to publish a White Paper on the future of local government in the summer.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration has been given to altering the elections by thirds pattern of democracy in the metropolitan districts of England. [67667]
Mr. Woolas: We have launched a public debate about the governance arrangements for local areas. We are listening to all views on governance arrangements, some of which may have implications for electoral arrangements in local authorities. We plan to publish a White Paper on the future of local government in the summer.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much
additional income has been raised as a result of local authorities using their discretionary power to abolish the council tax discount on empty homes since 2004; to whom has this additional income been allocated; and on what it has been spent. [66286]
Mr. Woolas: The amount of additional revenue raised by local authorities using their discretionary powers to reduce the council tax discounts on long-term empty homes was:
£49 million in 2004-05; and
£72 million in 2005-06.
This additional revenue raised is retained by local authorities. The increase in council tax base is taken into account in calculating formula grant. Any net increase in revenue for a local authority is not ring-fenced for spending on any particular activity.
These figures are estimates based on information reported by local authorities on the CTB1 and CTB1 (S) forms.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average council tax per (a) dwelling and (b) Band D in each local authority in England was in each year since 1997-98. [66308]
Mr. Woolas: Details of the average council tax per dwelling and Band D in each local authority in England are published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The details can be found under “Information For Taxpayers” at “Council Taxes” at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ct.htm.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which billing authority has the (a) highest and (b) lowest Band D council tax in England for 2006-07. [66323]
Mr. Woolas: Details of the Band D council tax in each local authority in England in 2006-07 are published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The details can be found under “Information For Taxpayers” at “Council Taxes” at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ct.htm.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much and what percentage of (a) council tax and (b) business rates was not collected by each of the 10 metropolitan districts in the county of Greater Manchester in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [67247]
Mr. Woolas: The following tables provide amounts of (a) council tax and (b) non-domestic rates in each of the last five years not collected in-year, and expressed as a percentage of the amount collectable in year.
| Amount of council tax not collected and as percentage of amount collectable | ||||||||||
| 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | ||||||
| £000 | % | £000 | % | £000 | % | £000 | % | £000 | % | |
| Amount of national non-domestic rates not collected and as percentage of amount collectable | ||||||||||
| 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | ||||||
| £000 | % | £000 | % | £000 | % | £000 | % | £000 | % | |
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