Court of Appeal rules against council tax challenge (From Haringey Independent)

Court of Appeal rules against Haringey council tax challenge

10:47am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

A single mother from Haringey has lost her legal battle against the council over changes to council tax benefit.

Judges at the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Haringey Borough Council, meaning its proposed changes to council tax benefit will go ahead from April this year.

All local authorities will be taking control of council tax support from April, after the abolished the benefit and cut the allowance it gives councils by 10 per cent.

Lawyers from firm Irwin Mitchell representing the woman had sought a judicial review against Haringey Borough Council’s proposals for the benefit which will see people of working age have to pay 20 per cent towards their council tax bill.

The firm argued the council did not conduct a proper consultation of its council tax reduction scheme.

The court upheld the decision made by Mr Justice Underhill last week in the High Court and detailed reasons for the judgement will be given later this week.

Currently 25,560 households in Haringey receive support of 100 per cent council tax benefit, meaning they don't pay anything towards their council tax bill.