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Council Tax Capping (Surrey)

I was going to deal with that point later, but I will deal with it specifically now. It is clearly untrue. [Interruption.] I am sure that hon. Members want me to respond. As long ago as October 2008, Surrey was well aware of the implications of its course of action. It was also told about that on several occasions thereafter. Of 15 authorities that have been set notional budget requirements, Surrey is the first that has gone on to set an excessive increase in the subsequent year. In 2009-10, the Government reiterated to all authorities that they would not hesitate to take capping action against excessive increases. We said explicitly that we would require authorities to re-bill if necessary. In December 2008, the then Minister for Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (John Healey), wrote to all local authorities to make that clear.