NUs response to the Lyons review

Although students do not pay council tax, the government compensates each local authority for the number of students living in its area.

There is one issue however: students are counted on October 21 when most have just moved into their flats and tend not to register until they get a (final) demand for council tax. So the number of students is significantly underestimated and the council receives less compensation than it should.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has conceded there is a problem and promised it will be considered in the review of local government finances being carried out for John Prescott by Sir Michael Lyons.

NUS is lobbying the Government to change the date when students are counted to around March and April. For NUS submission to the Lyon’s review see:

NUS response to the Lyons review