East Lancashire Lib Dem peer slams council tax benefit cut plans

LIBERAL Democrat peer Lord Greaves has condemned Coalition plans to axe council tax benefit payments as ‘disgraceful’.

The veteran East Lancashire politician has blasted proposals which will see town halls nationwide forced to make 10per cent cuts in their benefits bill – primarily by axing payments to working-age payers by around 20per cent.

Lord Greaves, who also represents Colne’s Waterside ward, speaking at a Pendle full council meeting, said: “It is a ludicrous proposal. Councils are going to be put in an impossible position.”

Increasing council tax bills was not an option, he said, as any rise would be capped by government.

He said the only alternative was cutting further services by making savings elsewhere, leaving benefit cuts as the only realistic choice.

Comments(4)

louderfasterlonger says...
5:27pm Mon 1 Oct 12

The problem lays not only on the restructuring of the benefits but on the collecting of it from the most vulnerable within our society. Already stretched council departments will be stretched further with little chance of recouping the losses.
Add to this the introduction of the new Universal Benefits system..... 2013 is going to be mayhem.
As usual, the impact on the poorer regions will be hardest felt.
Your Party m'Lord, your shame.

frank says...
5:35pm Mon 1 Oct 12

surely it would be more cost effective and bring in more money to close tax loopholes, and deal with all the tax dodges of the filthy rich?
(just had a trip to fantasy land where all the politicians seem to live!)

Marsdogs says...
9:51pm Mon 1 Oct 12

Every time I hear this man whinge, I'm more resolved to vote for the other parties

Rimbus says...
12:23am Tue 2 Oct 12

Lord Greaves must have been out of the country for the last few years! Ever wondered why support for the LibDems is at an all-time low?

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