Council Tax (New Valuation Lists for England) Bill

My right hon. Friend is right. Beyond the Government’s overall policy to increase the national burden of council tax faster than the rate at which national incomes have increased, the situation is much worse in some local authority areas and the amendment might address that. For example, in my constituency, under the Christchurch borough council billing authority, in 1993–94, the average council tax per dwelling was below the national average at £441 per dwelling. This year, however, it is £1,193 per dwelling—an increase in the average bill of 171 per cent., which is 50 per cent. more than the England average. To take up the Minister’s point that that does not take account of council tax benefit, the amount of council tax benefit in Christchurch is very small, with only 16.2 per cent. of households receiving it. We know, however, that more than 30 per cent. of the population are aged 65 and over. It is a privilege to be one of the younger people living in Christchurch. I am conscious of the burden faced by pensioners and those on fixed incomes. The situation is similar under East Dorset district council billing authority, which covers another part of my constituency. There, in 1993–94, the average council tax per dwelling was £516, significantly above the then national average, but it has continued to increase, going up by 163 per cent. since then, and is now no less than £1,356 per dwelling. That is about £350 more per dwelling than the national average. It is not surprising, therefore, that my constituents come to see me frequently to complain about the actual and perceived unfairness of the council.