To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost is of exempting members of the armed services serving abroad on active duty and not living in departmental accommodation from having a council tax liability in England. (114395)

The estimated cost of providing support for the council tax costs of service personnel on operations overseas will depend on the qualifying criteria used, the way in which that support is given and the level of relief provided. The administrative costs of running the scheme would also be dependent on how it was structured.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions her Department has had with the Ministry of Defence on the proposed exemption of members of the armed forces serving overseas from paying council tax. (114416)

Discussions between my Department and the Ministry of Defence about how best to provide support for the council tax costs of service personnel on operations overseas are ongoing.