Almost 600,000 poorest families facing second successive council tax hike

Irn Bru wrote:Research published today by the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows that nearly 600,000 poor families in England are facing a second successive year of above average council tax rises, far in excess of the increase facing households on average.

2.3 million low income families will pay an average £149 a year more in council tax than they were paying before April 2013. This includes 580,000 families paying £54 more this year on top of the £97 rise they faced last year. This is in contrast to the UK government’s determination to limit overall council tax increases to 2%.

The findings are detailed in a New Policy Institute (NPI) report for JRF. The report is the first, full assessment of Council Tax Support (CTS) 12 months on from its introduction.

Last April, Council Tax Benefit was abolished and replaced by CTS. England's 326 local councils had to devise their own CTS schemes, but with 10% less funding. Pensioners remained fully protected as before.

To limit the impact in the first year, government gave a one-year transitional grant to councils whose minimum payment was 8.5% or less of a household’s normal liability. Today’s research analyses the choices made by councils after that grant had come to an end.

http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/almost-600000-poorest-families-facing-second-council-tax-hike

So why does Cameron and Osborne keep telling us that council taxes have been frozen?

Must be lying through their teeth again - surely.

Alright said Fred wrote:

Irn Bru wrote:Research published today by the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows that nearly 600,000 poor families in England are facing a second successive year of above average council tax rises, far in excess of the increase facing households on average.

2.3 million low income families will pay an average £149 a year more in council tax than they were paying before April 2013. This includes 580,000 families paying £54 more this year on top of the £97 rise they faced last year. This is in contrast to the UK government’s determination to limit overall council tax increases to 2%.

The findings are detailed in a New Policy Institute (NPI) report for JRF. The report is the first, full assessment of Council Tax Support (CTS) 12 months on from its introduction.

Last April, Council Tax Benefit was abolished and replaced by CTS. England's 326 local councils had to devise their own CTS schemes, but with 10% less funding. Pensioners remained fully protected as before.

To limit the impact in the first year, government gave a one-year transitional grant to councils whose minimum payment was 8.5% or less of a household’s normal liability. Today’s research analyses the choices made by councils after that grant had come to an end.

http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/almost-600000-poorest-families-facing-second-council-tax-hike

So why does Cameron and Osborne keep telling us that council taxes have been frozen?

Must be lying through their teeth again - surely.

As well you know it is the councils who set taxes locally. Labour councils in particular are very happy to tax everyone to death. I'm ashamed to say so are some Tory ones as well. Public servants seem to see us as cash cows to serve them it's endemic.

Alright said Fred wrote:

Irn Bru wrote:Research published today by the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows that nearly 600,000 poor families in England are facing a second successive year of above average council tax rises, far in excess of the increase facing households on average.

2.3 million low income families will pay an average £149 a year more in council tax than they were paying before April 2013. This includes 580,000 families paying £54 more this year on top of the £97 rise they faced last year. This is in contrast to the UK government’s determination to limit overall council tax increases to 2%.

The findings are detailed in a New Policy Institute (NPI) report for JRF. The report is the first, full assessment of Council Tax Support (CTS) 12 months on from its introduction.

Last April, Council Tax Benefit was abolished and replaced by CTS. England's 326 local councils had to devise their own CTS schemes, but with 10% less funding. Pensioners remained fully protected as before.

To limit the impact in the first year, government gave a one-year transitional grant to councils whose minimum payment was 8.5% or less of a household’s normal liability. Today’s research analyses the choices made by councils after that grant had come to an end.

http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/almost-600000-poorest-families-facing-second-council-tax-hike

So why does Cameron and Osborne keep telling us that council taxes have been frozen?

Must be lying through their teeth again - surely.

As well you know it is the councils who set taxes locally. Labour councils in particular are very happy to tax everyone to death. I'm ashamed to say so are some Tory ones as well. Public servants seem to see us as cash cows to serve them it's endemic.