Council tax hike to hit pensioners (From Sutton Guardian)

Council tax hike to hit pensioners

12:44pm Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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Pensioners on state benefits could be the worst hit by the council's proposed inflation-busting council tax hike this year, warned Sutton Pensioners' Forum.

Chair of the forum David Dombey said a big increase in council charges would force pensioners to pull the purse strings even tighter.

In our latest newsletter we are encouraging members to keep themselves warm which is fine as long as they have the money to keep themselves warm.

David Dombey

He said: "The UK is the worst-ranking country in Europe for its state pension, which is just 17 per cent of the average wage so every year when council tax goes up pensioners go backwards.

"Anybody just on state pension is likely to suffer as council tax represents a large percentage of their spending."

Mr Dombey added that although he was sympathetic to the need to fix a budget members of the forum continually raised the problem of council tax hikes when dealing with the council.

He said: "In our latest newsletter we are encouraging members to keep themselves warm which is fine as long as they have the money to keep themselves warm."

Council papers reveal a proposed 4.9 per cent rise in council tax, in line with last year's increase, but the final figure will not be decided until next month.

Leader of the Conservative opposition Councillor Paul Scully said: "The people who suffer most as a result of the Lib Dem Council's attitude to public money are often the most vulnerable in society. People on low incomes, like pensioners, particularly feel the strain.

"We've been shocked in the past when speaking to older people who literally have to choose which meal to miss in order to pay their council tax.

"We urge Lib Dem Councillors Sean Brennan and John Drage to think of our community's most vulnerable members before levying another above-inflation increase."

For more information on the budget and to have your say telephone the council on 020 8770 5779 or see sutton.gov.uk.

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