Emergency Services: Finance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to increase precept flexibility to devolve spending decisions closer to Police and Fire and Rescue services.
Answered by Alex Norris
As of 1 April 2025, Ministerial responsibility for Fire transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Home Office retains Ministerial responsibility for policing.
Council tax levels are a local decision. Local authorities and their local elected representatives will consider the appropriate level, taking into account the views of the local community.
Council tax referendum thresholds are determined annually and are subject to the approval of the House of Commons alongside the Local Government Finance Settlement.
For 2025/26, the referendum limit for standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities in England was set at £5 on a band D bill.
For 2025/26, the referendum limit for police precept was set at £14 for English Police and Crime Commissioners. Council tax policy is devolved in Wales, and therefore, Welsh Police and Crime Commissioners are not bound by referendum limits.
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