Government asked to exempt flood victims from council tax

The government has been called on to exempt households that have been flooded from paying council tax.

Labour’s shadow communities and local government secretary, Hilary Benn, said that families who have been forced out of their homes and will have to have them repaired due to flood damage should not have to pay the tax.

She said:  “Families who have had to leave their homes and will need to have them repaired because of flood damage should not be asked to pay council tax.

“The government should admit that it was a mistake to have changed the law to take away the former provisions giving automatic council tax exemptions when properties are empty and require repairs to make them habitable in cases of flooding.

“In 2007 Labour provided additional funding to help provide council tax exemptions for those households forced to leave their homes for over a year.

“The government needs to reassure residents that they will work with local authorities to ensure flood victims are not paying council taxes on properties needing substantial repairs.”