text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Local Government Finance Bill - Second reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  @ MP voted aye to allow local councils to retain a proportion of the business rates generated in their area and to localise assisting those in financial need to pay their council tax. 
  @ MP voted no against allowing local councils to retain a proportion of the business rates generated in their area and not to localise assisting those in financial need to pay their council tax. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted to support the Local Government Finance Bill[1] at its second reading; ie. to agree with the core principles of the Bill and to allow it to progress towards becoming law. 
  
  The explanatory notes to the Bill[2] summarise the core provisions contained within the Bill:
  
  * Enabling local councils to retain a proportion of the business rates generated in their area. 
  * Localising the systems for helping those in financial need pay council tax by abolishing the council tax benefit and replacing it with local council tax reduction schemes. 
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  * [1] [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/localgovernmentfinance.html Parliament's webpage on the Local Government Finance Bill (Now the Local Government Finance Act 2012)]
  * [2] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2010-2012/0265/en/2012265en.htm Explanatory notes to the Local Government Finance Bill - 19th December 2011]
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  