Government Response: The Council Tax (Amendments Relating to Discount Disregards and Exempt Dwellings) (Wales) Regulations 2022

Technical Scrutiny point 1:

Response

Article 2(3A) of the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, which was inserted by The Council Tax (Discount Disregards and Exempt Dwellings) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022, relates to unoccupied properties. As stated in the explanatory notes, the policy intent is to provide that exemptions relating to occupied properties extend to Wales. The insertion of the words “in England” into Article 2(3A) was necessary to ensure that it was clear that this article relating to unoccupied properties does not apply to Wales.

Merit Scrutiny point 1:

Response

This approach is the same as that taken in England and Scotland. The criteria for entry under the Ukraine Family Scheme differ from those for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Under the Ukraine Family Scheme, there is an expectation that people from Ukraine will join their family members in the UK and that their relatives will be able to provide accommodation. 

The intention of these regulations is to encourage take-up of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme by ensuring people who provide accommodation to a person or family from Ukraine are not dissuaded from doing so by the prospect of losing any discounts or exemptions they are currently entitled to.

Merit Scrutiny point 2:

Response

This was an oversight. The Welsh Government will explore whether this may be corrected with a correction slip.