Changes to council tax benefit is "a new poll tax on thousands” says councillor (From Haringey Independent)

Changes to council tax benefit is "a new poll tax on thousands” says councillor

12:47pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

A council cabinet member says Government changes to council tax benefit is "a new poll tax on thousands”.

Councillor Joe Goldberg, cabinet member for finance at Haringey Borough Council, has hit out at the Government for its changes to council tax benefits.

The comment comes after Reverend Paul Nicolson, from the group Taxpayers Against Poverty, said the changes will hit the poorest in the borough hardest.

Councillor Goldberg said: “The Government’s changes to council tax benefit are a new poll tax on thousands of Haringey’s lowest paid families.

“The Government are increasing the burden on the low paid at a time when so many are facing a squeeze on their living standards with tax rises and cuts to other benefits.

“Now couldn’t be a worse time for the Government to impose this punitive tax rise on Haringey’s lowest paid households.”

As a result of the changes, which will com into force next year, authorities across the country have to replace the benefit with a new council reduction scheme.

Haringey Council is currently consulting people living in the borough about its plans which will see people lose some of their council tax benefit and pay towards their council tax bill.

The council is calling on people to take part in the consultation which can be completed on the Haringey Council website, with November 19 the deadline for replies.