Deadline for say on benefit changes in East Lancashire

9:05am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

RESIDENTS of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley have only weeks to give their views on reforming council tax benefit payments for the unemployed, sick and low paid in their boroughs.

All three local authorities are consulting before preparing new schemes which could cost the poorest households up to £300 a year.

They want claimants of the benefit and ordinary council taxpayers to give their opinion before proposals are drawn up for April 1.

The Government has scrapped the national scheme, cut every local authority’s budget for it by 10 per cent and asked for local proposals.

Blackburn with Darwen has a preferred option of imposing a 20 per cent minimum costing the poorest, who now get all or most of their council tax paid, costing them between £250 and £300 a year.

Ribble Valley is looking at absorbing much of the cuts while Hyndburn is consulting on the actual numbers.

Pensioners and some other “vulnerable” groups are protected but those expected to pay more include the low paid, and families with young children. Residents of Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley have until October 31 to make their views known while those in Hyndburn have until November 4.

Ribble Valley council hopes to absorb much of the changes, possibly cutting entitlement to all other claimants by 12 per cent to keep full exemption for the poorest, or imposing a 10 per cent minimum, half that proposed for Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen executive board member Andy Kay said: “We want to talk to residents right across the borough about what this means, and how any new scheme will look and how it could affect people.

“This is something that will have a significant impact on the borough. Residents need to be aware of these changes and get involved in the discussions.”

Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said; “We do not have any preferred options at this stage as we cannot make any decisions until after the consultation period ends on November 4.”

Comments (7)

9:28am Wed 3 Oct 12

Wishingwell says...

Genuine help for genuine cases is fine by me but there are too many exemptions especially for empty homes and possible future schools etc.
I think the council should not be giving tax reductions to "Investors" sitting on empty run-down properties waiting around for Grants and Compulsory Purchase payouts. It is making the place look even worse.
Genuine help for genuine cases is fine by me but there are too many exemptions especially for empty homes and possible future schools etc. I think the council should not be giving tax reductions to "Investors" sitting on empty run-down properties waiting around for Grants and Compulsory Purchase payouts. It is making the place look even worse. Wishingwell

9:47am Wed 3 Oct 12

cloud99 says...

Why don't the big cheeses at the council take a pay cut?
Axe a few top knobs who do very little and earn loads.
A huge saving could also be made if immigrants weren't given as many entitlements.

Yet again we see the poor getting poorer.
Why don't the big cheeses at the council take a pay cut? Axe a few top knobs who do very little and earn loads. A huge saving could also be made if immigrants weren't given as many entitlements. Yet again we see the poor getting poorer. cloud99

9:58am Wed 3 Oct 12

sammy37 says...

How do you make comment and to who??
How do you make comment and to who?? sammy37

12:51pm Wed 3 Oct 12

dwdarwen says...

Why do low paid get any benefit? Surely that's a p!ss take that people with better jobs don't get it. After all they contribute more tax and insurance
Why do low paid get any benefit? Surely that's a p!ss take that people with better jobs don't get it. After all they contribute more tax and insurance dwdarwen

6:39pm Wed 3 Oct 12

pwitch says...

When the last government stared to pay the rent direct to the tenant that caused a major problem for property owners who had these tenants, as the people who were known addicts then spent the rent money on alcohol or drugs. If the money was paid direct to the landlord again that would solve some of the problems. However I think a lot of people would be better served by getting food vouchers for some of their benefits so that they had to spend food money properly. Of course many folk are stuck in a rut not of their own making, and really need quality help.
When the last government stared to pay the rent direct to the tenant that caused a major problem for property owners who had these tenants, as the people who were known addicts then spent the rent money on alcohol or drugs. If the money was paid direct to the landlord again that would solve some of the problems. However I think a lot of people would be better served by getting food vouchers for some of their benefits so that they had to spend food money properly. Of course many folk are stuck in a rut not of their own making, and really need quality help. pwitch

7:46pm Wed 3 Oct 12

Malthus says...

dwdarwen wrote:
Why do low paid get any benefit? Surely that's a p!ss take that people with better jobs don't get it. After all they contribute more tax and insurance
The low paid get benefit because those who employ them would sooner have other people subsidise their employee's income, rather than provide a decent living wage. I am sure that if people were paid what they are worth they would be more than happy not have to apply for top up benefits.
[quote][p][bold]dwdarwen[/bold] wrote: Why do low paid get any benefit? Surely that's a p!ss take that people with better jobs don't get it. After all they contribute more tax and insurance[/p][/quote]The low paid get benefit because those who employ them would sooner have other people subsidise their employee's income, rather than provide a decent living wage. I am sure that if people were paid what they are worth they would be more than happy not have to apply for top up benefits. Malthus

8:43pm Wed 3 Oct 12

DEO VOLENTE says...

If people genuinely need benefits they should get them, no question. The problem is that as has been pointed out there are too many benefit claimants and too many people claiming Council Tax exemptions. It is a well known fact that many people who are capable of working and contributing to society have absloutely no intention of doing so. The fact is that this has to change and it will under the current more responsible government. The last Labour government are responsible for the number of benefit claimants in the country. It was the Labour Party's politically disorientated policies, over 13 years, that has led us into the mess we are in. God forbid another Labour government. The one positive thing to add here is that with "Red" Miliband as leader this wont happen. After his dismal speech at the Labour Party conference who would have him as Prime Minister? Notwithstanding the fact that he was preaching to the converted. Trying to be working class and one of us! What a laugh! No "Red" Ed will never be Prime minister, thank god the unions chose him and not his brother.
One Nation? more like a "Non Nation" under "Red Ed" Never, Never,Never vote Labour again.
Deus Vobiscum
If people genuinely need benefits they should get them, no question. The problem is that as has been pointed out there are too many benefit claimants and too many people claiming Council Tax exemptions. It is a well known fact that many people who are capable of working and contributing to society have absloutely no intention of doing so. The fact is that this has to change and it will under the current more responsible government. The last Labour government are responsible for the number of benefit claimants in the country. It was the Labour Party's politically disorientated policies, over 13 years, that has led us into the mess we are in. God forbid another Labour government. The one positive thing to add here is that with "Red" Miliband as leader this wont happen. After his dismal speech at the Labour Party conference who would have him as Prime Minister? Notwithstanding the fact that he was preaching to the converted. Trying to be working class and one of us! What a laugh! No "Red" Ed will never be Prime minister, thank god the unions chose him and not his brother. One Nation? more like a "Non Nation" under "Red Ed" Never, Never,Never vote Labour again. Deus Vobiscum DEO VOLENTE

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