The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (England) Regulations 2012

Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c.14) (“the 1992 Act”), substituted by section 10 of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 (c.17) (“the 2012 Act”), requires each billing authority in England to make a scheme specifying the reductions which are to apply to amounts of council tax payable by persons, or classes of person, whom the authority considers are in financial need. Paragraph 4 of Schedule 1A to the 1992 Act, inserted by Schedule 4 to the 2012 Act, requires the Secretary of State to prescribe by regulations a “default scheme”. The default scheme is to take effect, in respect of dwellings situated in the area of a billing authority, if the authority fails to make its own scheme on or before 31st January 2013.