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"Our pensioners are being ripped off", says James Farr
April 19, 2006 5:33 PM
James Farr in Shaw and Nine Elms
"Our pensioners are being ripped off", says James Farr, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Shaw & Nine Elms ward.
Pensioners face a staggering 25% rise in council tax bills this year thanks to the Labour government.
James continued: "Chancellor Gordon Brown has cancelled a £200 rebate for pensioner households - issued last year as a pre-election bribe. Pensioners' bills will hit record highs this year as a result - with average bills over £1250.
"That's a rise of more than £250. But pensions will only rise about 3% this year, with that money easily swallowed up by rocketing tax bills.
"Liberal Democrats will continue our fight to get pensioners a fair deal on local taxes. It's time to scrap Council Tax and replace it with a fair tax based on ability to pay.
"A Local Income Tax wouldn't need complicated benefits and rebates. It would be automatically affordable for people on low or fixed incomes.
"The unfair Council Tax was invented by the Conservatives, but it's soared under Labour.
Bills are nearly £600 higher than in 1997. And government watchdog the Audit Commission has described the tax as 'fundamentally flawed'.
"Neither of the other parties have any ideas for fixing the Council Tax crisis. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to axing this unfair tax once and for all"
Some facts about Swindon the Tories don't want you to know:
1. This year the Tories increased Council Tax by 4.8% - that's double the rate of inflation and above the national average.
2. The Conservatives promised a lower rate than this when they last fought local elections in Swindon.
3. The Tories increased their own allowances by a whopping 54% whilst others were told to tighten their belts!
4. The Tories took on a £34k per year 'Cabinet Assistant' on top of their £25k per year 'political' assistant - politics on the rates!
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