Lambeth Labour 'stealth taxes' hit the elderly hardest
Labour Lambeth's inflation busting Council Tax increases will hit the elderly and vulnerable hardest in the coming year, warns Lambeth Conservative Group Leader Cllr John Whelan. Motorists, and leisure centre customers also face extra bills.
Lambeth's council tax will rise 4.99 per cent from April - the highest the government will allow - but with the Livingstone surcharge this will effectively add another 2 per cent to the bill for the ordinary household. The average home will now pay an inflation busting £1,187 a year. Last year, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat joint administration delivered a 'zero per cent' increase.
Among the 'stealth taxes' not proposed in Labour's election pledges are:
Cllr Whelan says: "All this is bad enough, but the proposed 132 per cent rise in charges for social care for the elderly is targeted at the most vulnerable members of the community. These services include helping the elderly get out of bed, getting food and having a wash. None of these cuts were in Labour's election manifesto."
Cllr Suzanne Poole comments: "The increase in home help costs are staggering and show how Labour has lost touch with local people. These fees are now higher than Lambeth pays its contractors, and so Labour is making a profit out of sick and housebound people."
The council tax rise is also a heavy blow. Clare says: "For many pensioners, the council tax is their biggest monthly expense. Labour administrations in Lambeth consistently raise taxes by stealth, and that is bad news for pensioners and others."
This issue in the news
Tax and parking costs to rise - South London Press, Friday 5th January 2007 [Web]
Lambeth's council tax will rise 4.99 per cent from April - the highest the government will allow - but with the Livingstone surcharge this will effectively add another 2 per cent to the bill for the ordinary household. The average home will now pay an inflation busting £1,187 a year. Last year, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat joint administration delivered a 'zero per cent' increase.
Among the 'stealth taxes' not proposed in Labour's election pledges are:
- A 132% increase in social care charges for the elderly and disabled from £7.55 to £17.50 per hour
- A virtual doubling of the residents parking permit charges to £115 a year from £60
- A new £25 charge for Lambeth tenants and leaseholders to park on their estate
- Leisure centre charges up by 25%
- Cuts of £460,000 in grants to the voluntary sector
Cllr Whelan says: "All this is bad enough, but the proposed 132 per cent rise in charges for social care for the elderly is targeted at the most vulnerable members of the community. These services include helping the elderly get out of bed, getting food and having a wash. None of these cuts were in Labour's election manifesto."
Cllr Suzanne Poole comments: "The increase in home help costs are staggering and show how Labour has lost touch with local people. These fees are now higher than Lambeth pays its contractors, and so Labour is making a profit out of sick and housebound people."
The council tax rise is also a heavy blow. Clare says: "For many pensioners, the council tax is their biggest monthly expense. Labour administrations in Lambeth consistently raise taxes by stealth, and that is bad news for pensioners and others."
This issue in the news
Tax and parking costs to rise - South London Press, Friday 5th January 2007 [Web]
posted by Cllr John Whelan on 08:31
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