Student numbers leave city 'missing millions' in tax

Growing numbers of students living in Bristol means public services are "missing out" on millions in council tax, a city council meeting was told.

The authority is "missing" £2.6m in tax this year, councillors told the meeting. Students are exempt from paying council tax despite benefiting from council services, like bin collections and parks.

Councillor Caroline Gooch said university cities were "over-burdened" with student exemptions compared to non-university or rural areas, arguing the government should implement a subsidy scheme.

Councillors also noted how students benefitted the city, such as the night-time economy.

Gooch added: "The government should implement a subsidy scheme for local authorities with high student populations."

The total cost of students not paying council tax in Bristol is unclear, but this year it increased by £2.6m, the Local Democracy Service reports.

Councillor Tom Blenkinsop said economically the city benefitted "from having a large student population".

"It's good that we're a university city," he said. "But it may be advisable to ask ourselves, 'how much student housing is too much":[]}