The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Motion NDM5668 Jane Hutt
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales; in accordance with Standing Order 27.5
Approves that the draft The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 11 December 2014.

15:36
Janet Finch-Saunders
I welcome the introduction of these regulations, and I wholeheartedly agree that these regulations need to be in place, in order to support and help those in need. But, one must not forget, either, that there are those who are not entitled to any reduction scheme, who are, actually, quite badly hit by the amount of council tax now payable in Wales. Thanks to the Welsh Labour Government, they have seen a 150% rise since 1997. But, you will be aware, Minister, too—and I would expect you to acknowledge this—that, as a result of you not passing over the UK funding Barnett consequential to allow a freeze for our council tax payers in Wales, that freeze would have seen our residents now £149 a year better off.
Consequently now, as a result of your settlement also, announcements are already now coming in of between 3% and 5% for council tax increases, and we know that these do not actually include the police and community council precepts. We welcome these, but, as I said to you before, Welsh Conservatives would like to place on record once more that we do believe that, as a Welsh Government, you should actually be looking to support all those who pay council tax in Wales. Thank you.

15:38
The Presiding Officer
I have no other speakers. Minister, do you wish to reply?

15:38
Leighton Andrews/The Minister for Public Services
Llywydd, I think the Conservative spokesperson is well aware that council tax rates, on average, are lower in Wales than they are in England, and yet councils have been better protected in Wales than they have been in England. These uprating regulations will mitigate the impact of the cost of living increases for applicants entitled to a council tax reduction. Can I remind Members that such uprating regulations are likely to be required annually?