Rossendale's council tax benefit cut plans

4:00pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

PLANS to overhaul the council tax benefit system in Rossendale look set to mean all those eligible will face a cut of 20 per cent.

The council is currently consulting with residents on the introduction of a local scheme to replace the current benefit as per Government policy.

In a report to council leaders, the Rossendale finance and resources cabinet member, Coun Patrick Marriott introduced preferred schemes.

He said: “Benefit would be calculated according to existing arrangements, and then subject to a 20 per cent reduction.

“In effect all council tax payers of working age will have to pay at least 20 per cent of their council tax bill.”

Coun Marriott attacked the transfer of responsibility from Government calling it ‘localisation of blame’ and described the new arrangements as regressive taxation He said it would hit the low paid and the vulnerable.

The introduction of the scheme would mean that those of working age currently entitled to full benefit, would have to find around £300 a year if they live in a Band C property.

Pensioners are protected from the cuts but groups who would be forced to pay more are the low paid, families with young children, those who are unemployed and the sick and disabled.

At the recent cabinet meeting Rossendale councillors were the first in East Lancashire to put a potential figure on the reduction.

But it has emerged that neighbouring authorities, Blackburn with Darwen and Burnley Councils, now have a similar preferred scheme of minimum payment of 20 per cent for all people of working age.

Blackburn council leader, Kate Hollern said: “The council tax benefit changes in particular are going to hit low paid families in work hard.”

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “We are in a three-month consultation that will last until October and a final decision will be made in December.”

Comments (9)

4:12pm Wed 12 Sep 12

mavrick says...

I don't suppose the council could encourage the housing associations to reduce their rents by 20%, with the looming bedroom tax and the cuts in benefits I look forward to the riots.
I don't suppose the council could encourage the housing associations to reduce their rents by 20%, with the looming bedroom tax and the cuts in benefits I look forward to the riots. mavrick

4:31pm Wed 12 Sep 12

jimpy0 says...

Social housing rents are set by government criteria, and private landlords are governed by the LHA . We take from the low paid and already struggling of this country and give it in foreign aid. Will benefits payments rise by 30% to cover the rise in costs to claimants.
Social housing rents are set by government criteria, and private landlords are governed by the LHA [local housing allowance]. We take from the low paid and already struggling of this country and give it in foreign aid. Will benefits payments rise by 30% to cover the rise in costs to claimants. jimpy0

7:07pm Wed 12 Sep 12

HairyBowls says...

This policy is a tax on the poor full stop. Stop spending money on conflicts abroad first! These attacks on the low paid are dangerous...dont force people into a corner...
This policy is a tax on the poor full stop. Stop spending money on conflicts abroad first! These attacks on the low paid are dangerous...dont force people into a corner... HairyBowls

8:58pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Stuart Farquar says...

If it says ' This is the minimum amount the law states you need to live on' then how on earth are the poor going to be able to pay extra from the meagre allowances ?
If it says ' This is the minimum amount the law states you need to live on' then how on earth are the poor going to be able to pay extra from the meagre allowances ? Stuart Farquar

10:26pm Wed 12 Sep 12

frank says...

just another tory tax on the poor. how many millionaires or BANKERS get council tax benefit?
even a banker could get those figures right.
just another tory tax on the poor. how many millionaires or BANKERS get council tax benefit? even a banker could get those figures right. frank

10:43pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Stuart Farquar says...

Looks like the poor will have to start terrorizing and robbin the rich and middle classes again lol
Looks like the poor will have to start terrorizing and robbin the rich and middle classes again lol Stuart Farquar

10:47pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Common_Sense1 says...

Whilst I think this is probably a bad idea I have yet to walk in to the home of someone on benefits and not find a plasma tv and enough spare cash to spend on beer and cigarettes. The word 'poor' needs some consideration before it is used so widely and the priorities of people on benefits needs to be set straight. If you can afford a tv license, new clothes, a games console for your children and all the beer and fags tax pays can buy for you then you are not poor and should contribute to society by paying at least a small amount of council tax.
Whilst I think this is probably a bad idea I have yet to walk in to the home of someone on benefits and not find a plasma tv and enough spare cash to spend on beer and cigarettes. The word 'poor' needs some consideration before it is used so widely and the priorities of people on benefits needs to be set straight. If you can afford a tv license, new clothes, a games console for your children and all the beer and fags tax pays can buy for you then you are not poor and should contribute to society by paying at least a small amount of council tax. Common_Sense1

11:37pm Wed 12 Sep 12

jimpy0 says...

i agree with some of the above, apart from Tv licence which is a necessity if you posses any device capable of receiving tv/news broadcasts including a Pc no matter how old a decrepit it may be. otherwise you get fined and dragged before the courts.
i agree with some of the above, apart from Tv licence which is a necessity if you posses any device capable of receiving tv/news broadcasts including a Pc no matter how old a decrepit it may be. otherwise you get fined and dragged before the courts. jimpy0

12:21pm Thu 13 Sep 12

HelmshoreMan2010 says...

When me and my ex partner moved in to our first house due to a family situation only I was working so we applied for a few benefits. We wrote down every essential bill and told the people at the one stop shop in Rawtenstall that we was only £88 a month short of being able to 'get by'. We filled out a few forms and ticked a few boxes and somehow they give us £220 a month extra in total in the form of a reduction on our council tax and help paying rent. Naturally being 20 and in my own house I got the internet, got a phone etc which was never on my list of essentials. This was 4 years ago but I can't imagine it being too different now.

It's too easy to get money and too tempting to keep it. My ex did get a job about 6 weeks after all of this luckily, I never felt right watching that money come in!
When me and my ex partner moved in to our first house due to a family situation only I was working so we applied for a few benefits. We wrote down every essential bill and told the people at the one stop shop in Rawtenstall that we was only £88 a month short of being able to 'get by'. We filled out a few forms and ticked a few boxes and somehow they give us £220 a month extra in total in the form of a reduction on our council tax and help paying rent. Naturally being 20 and in my own house I got the internet, got a phone etc which was never on my list of essentials. This was 4 years ago but I can't imagine it being too different now. It's too easy to get money and too tempting to keep it. My ex did get a job about 6 weeks after all of this luckily, I never felt right watching that money come in! HelmshoreMan2010

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