VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Buckingham Palace: Council Tax

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 27 May 2026UIN 2012

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the (a) Gardener’s Lodge, (b) Royal Lodge, (c) Chief Clerks Apartment, (d) Surgery Flat, (e) Crown Equerry’s House, (f) The Royal Guard Room and (g) Royal Residence in Buckingham Palace will be liable to pay the council tax surcharge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

The High Value Council Tax surcharge (HVCTS) will be paid on residential dwellings within Crown properties worth more than £2 million consistent with the general approach to domestic dwellings. The Government launched a consultation of HVCTS on 19 May 2026, and its detailed design will be confirmed once the consultation has concluded and policy decisions are finalised.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim