Letters to the Editor

Monday, 28th November 2005

Research Showing Council Tax Hits Elderly Hardest Shows It’s An Unfair Tax


Council tax rises are hitting the finances of pensioner households far harder than those of younger people. According to research from the Halifax, on average, council tax accounts for 6% of household income amongst the over 75s, twice the rate for the under 50s.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-

These figures are yet more evidence that council tax is Britain's most unfair tax. It falls disproportionately on pensioners and the low paid. Pensioners up and down the country will face a stark choice this winter. Do they use their meagre pensions to heat their homes, or do they pay their ever-rising council tax bills? Council tax is completely untenable. It is time the Government scrapped this unfair tax and replaced it with a fair system based on people's ability to pay.
 

ENDS

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1. More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4470908.stm 
    
2. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
3. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm