To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department gives to local authorities on claims for single person discount for council tax from single parents whose children are serving with the armed forces. (179710)

The Secretary of State for Defence announced on 25 September 2007 that service personnel on operational duty in Iraq or Afghanistan will receive a flat rate payment of £140 for a six-month tour of duty to help with the cost of their council tax and is equivalent to 25 per cent. of the average council tax bill for 2007-08.