Combined Authorities: Council Tax
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether mayoral combined authorities can set a negative council tax which reduces the wider council tax bill.
Answered by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Government has committed to overhaul the way regional government is funded, starting by replacing grants from central government with a share of local income tax for every mayor beginning in 2028. This reform is about giving local areas greater control over how existing funding is allocated. We will set out our overall approach to revenue assignment in the fiscal devolution roadmap, alongside the Budget.
It is for individual billing authorities and precepting authorities to set their council tax precept for the financial year, reflecting all other available revenue. These authorities may reduce their level of council tax, compared to the previous financial year, where they consider this appropriate. However, individual authorities cannot reduce the precept of other authorities in their area.
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