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28/02/2013
Councils Admit Local Tax Could Be Unworkable
Some 84% of people on low incomes are expected to refuse to pay council tax after being caught in the net by benefit changes this April, and local authorities have admitted there is little they can do about it.
The support for means-tested council tax benefit has been cut by £500m, and local councils have been told to make the decision on “where the axe should fall”.
Some 326 town halls in England have proposed "local" council tax schemes.
Currently exempt from council tax, the benefit cuts will mean the poor face an average bill of £247 a year from April.
However as the average weekly sum would be less than £5, councils are warning that it would "in many cases be uneconomic to recover, with the costs of collection, including legal recovery costs, being higher than the bill".
(H/GK)
The support for means-tested council tax benefit has been cut by £500m, and local councils have been told to make the decision on “where the axe should fall”.
Some 326 town halls in England have proposed "local" council tax schemes.
Currently exempt from council tax, the benefit cuts will mean the poor face an average bill of £247 a year from April.
However as the average weekly sum would be less than £5, councils are warning that it would "in many cases be uneconomic to recover, with the costs of collection, including legal recovery costs, being higher than the bill".
(H/GK)
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11 January 2005
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
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The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
31 March 2005
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
12 August 2013
Final Round Of Benefit Caps Begins
The final round of benefit caps that have seen benefit claims restricted to £500 a week for couples and those with children and £350 for single people is to come into effect today, in those council areas affected by the scheme.
Final Round Of Benefit Caps Begins
The final round of benefit caps that have seen benefit claims restricted to £500 a week for couples and those with children and £350 for single people is to come into effect today, in those council areas affected by the scheme.
20 April 2005
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
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