Warning on Council Tax change
NEW rules which will see local councils set the level of council tax support will be a "huge blow" to low-income families, says the city's finance chief.
There are just two weeks left for people to comment on a new draft Council Tax Support scheme for Plymouth as consultation draws to a close on October 1.
Every council in England and Wales has been told that from April 1 next year the Government will no longer decide who is entitled to receive money to help them pay their council tax bills, or how much they can claim.
Instead councils across the country will need to introduce their own local schemes and make these decisions.
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Councillor Mark Lowry, cabinet member for finance said: "These changes are approaching us fast and will have a huge blow on the finances of the people with the lowest incomes. There is still time for people to let us know their views before any decisions are finalised. It really can help influence the finer details."
A council spokesman said the Government was also cutting £2.6million from the funding provided for the people of Plymouth.
The Council Tax Support scheme changes are expected to affect working age people and means around 16,000 households could see a reduction of up to £249 of their Council Tax Benefit next year.
The consultation on the proposed new scheme was launched on August 6 and so far almost 1,200 views have been given. Closing on Monday, October 1, the consultation provides an opportunity for all residents to comment on the new scheme Plymouth has proposed in a bid to spread the impact of the cuts as fairly as possible. The Government has told councils that the new scheme must ensure pensioners are not affected, must encourage people to work, and that consideration must be given to the impact on the most vulnerable groups of people.
All residents can complete the consultation by going to www.plymouth.gov.uk/ctsupport or by visiting their local library.
Comments
by deputydog
Friday, September 21 2012, 6:31PM
“how about couples who are living together and claiming benefits seperatly because they live in old houses that have been converted into four or five flats they are not married but because the house is classed as one building and they have different surnames they get away with murder one of them has the tenency in his or her name and you can guess the rest cant you but i blame the landlords for turning a blind eye to it”
by b_mused
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:15PM
“As an addendum to my comment below, I do not want children or their single mothers to suffer unreasonably so any changes need to be phased in to give the young women a chance to turn their lives around.”
by b_mused
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:12PM
“Further to Farkwar's point - an article in the Herald last week (about pregnant women smoking) stated that about 45% of pregnant women in Plymouth were 19 years old or younger - a very sad statistic. Obviously very few of these would be married and not in a position to support their children either financially (or intellectually) so the tax payer has to. There may be a few "accidents" but most are a career choice and this cycle needs to be broken.”
by Farkwar
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:53PM
“jimjamjoonny there is a simple answer to the issue of children potentially suffering. If you cannot afford kids and rely on others to support you and them through benefits, then don't have them!
Why should my taxes go towards funding a lifestyle choice for people who need benefits to have children?”
by mcspredder
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:43PM
“"....will have a huge blow on the finances of the people with the lowest incomes."
WHY? Surely they are the ones most protected and on full CT benefit? Are you suggesting spending thousands to go through the process of making everyone apply again instead of maintaining the status quo?
And no, I am not a claimant - just hate bureaucratic waste”
by itar5127
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:23PM
“It does not just affect those under pensionable age - it affects anyone with a low income. If you default ONCE on the installments, the whole remainder is due within 14 days, and if not paid an additional £85 will be added to the outstanding with automatic bailiff (and associated charges) ocurring ON THE DAY AFTER.”
by Titch89
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:36AM
“This only affects people under pension age.”
by irene61
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:43AM
“before complaining this Labour Council could introduce a scheme that protected lower earners - the point is that the decision now rests with them, and they must decide locally”
by trudie2010
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:28AM
“It won't make a lot of difference to most people, it's happening, get over it.”
by BettyD
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:13AM
“First I've heard about this. Typical that we only have a couple of weeks to comment etc”