{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-12-11&answeringDeptSortName=Communities+and+Local+Government&hansardHeading=Council+Tax%3A+Arrears", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-12-11&answeringDeptSortName=Communities+and+Local+Government&hansardHeading=Council+Tax%3A+Arrears", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-12-11&answeringDeptSortName=Communities+and+Local+Government&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Council+Tax%3A+Arrears", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-12-11&answeringDeptSortName=Communities+and+Local+Government&hansardHeading=Council+Tax%3A+Arrears", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-12-11&answeringDeptSortName=Communities+and+Local+Government&hansardHeading=Council+Tax%3A+Arrears", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-12-11&answeringDeptSortName=Communities+and+Local+Government&hansardHeading=Council+Tax%3A+Arrears", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/168191", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/168191/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>As at 31 March 2014, Barnsley council reported that the cumulative council tax arrears in their area was £11.1 million. The corresponding figure for South Yorkshire (i.e. Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham &amp; Sheffield) was £68.9 million. The total cumulative council tax arrears as at 31 March 2014 for the whole of England was £2.53 billion.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We do not produce figures for the UK.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The figures are calculated by adding the amount of council tax that was uncollected within the year to the council tax arrears brought forward, less any receipts received in respect of previous years\u2019 arrears, less any council tax written off as uncollectable.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>In our best practice document, \u201c50 ways to save\u201d, we listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs. However, these figures show that there is a significant source of income for councils, which they could use to support frontline service or cut council tax bills.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4043", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kris Hopkins"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Council Tax: Arrears"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much is owed in council tax arrears in (a) Barnsley local authority area, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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