Member

Our intention with the scope and scale of the bill discount scheme is to recognise the service that communities provide. This is the right thing to do. We hope that it will be appreciated by communities and reduce opposition and delays. However, this is balanced against the anticipated extra cost to bill payers. I have already set out what those costs are likely to be. They are important to measure against the likely savings from the constraint costs. Should this community benefit package succeed, alongside our wider package of reforms, we could avoid £4 billion in constraint payments. However, this amendment would add a significant burden to bill payers, including those who are in receipt of the scheme well above that amount. Though it would not be appropriate to extend the scheme in the manner which the noble Baroness proposes, the Government are finalising the details on eligibility for infrastructure where construction has recently commenced. I appreciate the intent behind the amendment but request that the noble Baroness does not move it.