{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/council-tax-reduction-schemes-default-scheme-england-regulations-2012/note",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/council-tax-reduction-schemes-default-scheme-england-regulations-2012/note.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2012/2886",
  "legislation_title": "The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (England) Regulations 2012",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/council-tax-reduction-schemes-default-scheme-england-regulations-2012",
  "path": "note",
  "kind": "note",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Explanatory note",
  "text": "(This note is not part of the Regulations)\nSection 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.\nThe default scheme prescribed by the Secretary of State is set out in the Schedule to these Regulations. Parts 1 and 2 contain introductory provisions and definitions of key words and phrases. Part 3 and Schedule 1 contains the procedure for reduction applications and appeals. Parts 4 and 5 specify the classes of person entitled and not entitled to a reduction under the scheme, respectively.\nParts 6 to 9 and Schedules 2 to 4 set out matters relevant to determining eligibility for a reduction and the amount of reduction under the scheme.\nPart 10 and Schedules 5 to 10 set out how income and capital of the applicant and others is treated in calculating eligibility for a reduction, including in cases where an applicant or partner has an award of universal credit. Part 11 provides for the application of the scheme to students. Part 12 provides for extended reductions in certain circumstances and Part 13 sets out when entitlement begins and how a change in circumstances affects any reduction.\nPart 14 of the scheme provides for the making of an application for a reduction. Part 15 sets out the time within which an authority must make its decision on the application and provides for notification of the decision. Part 16 makes provisions about the payment of a reduction in certain circumstances.\nAn impact assessment of the effect that section 13A of the 1992 Act will have on the public sector is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/8465/2158675.pdf. It is also published with the Explanatory Memorandum alongside this instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.",
  "extent": "E+W+S",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/2886/note",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T01:13:07.026808+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}