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Local Government Finance: Equality

Volume 503: debated on Wednesday 6 January 2010

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of the likely effects of the proposed new (a) public sector equality duty and (b) duty to tackle socio-economic disadvantage in the Equality Bill on the (i) local government funding settlement, (ii) the setting of a council tax by local authorities and (iii) the spending allocation decisions of local authorities. (309047)

The Government are committed to ensuring that all new burdens falling on local authorities, whether from the Equality Bill or any other policy, are fully considered and properly funded so that there is no upward pressure on council tax bills. Where appropriate, funding is provided through the formula grant system or through specific grants.

The setting of council tax and local spending allocation decisions are a matter for local authorities.