Written question asked by Paul Keetch (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 December 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 December 1997. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Monday, 22 December 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans the Government has to review the property bands for the council tax to reflect changes in house prices since 1990.

Answer: Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to review the property bands for the council tax to reflect changes in house prices since 1990. [21886] Mr. Raynsford: Valuations for council tax purposes are currently based on their open market value on 1 April 1991. As part of the review of the local government finance system announced on 25 July 1997, we are considering how we might improve the fairness of the distribution of the council tax burden. This includes the question of whether properties should be revalued and whether any changes should be made to the current structure of the valuation bands. I expect a consultation document to be issued in the New Year before a White Paper is published early next summer.

Secondary information