Menu
21/02/2005
Tories promise to reduce council tax for pensioners
Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged to reduce council tax payments for pensioners, if the party win at the next General Election.
Mr Howard said that, under a Conservative government, households where all adults are aged 65 and over would have their council tax bills halved, up to a maximum value of £500. He said that this measure would ensure that five million pensioners would have their council tax bills reduced.
The Conservatives have estimated that 3.8 million households will qualify for the discounts, which they say will not be means-tested.
The announcement is the first in a series of targeted tax cuts from the Conservatives, worth £1.3 billion, which they claim will benefit over five million people in the UK.
Speaking at a press conference in central London, the Conservative leader said: "People will face a clear choice at the election: Conservatives who will give pensioners dignity, security and respect by increasing the state pension and cutting their council tax or Mr Blair, who will forget them and raise their council tax."
Mr Howard said that pensioners were the group hardest hit by council tax rises because they were on fixed incomes: "Many of them served our country at her greatest hour of need, preserving liberty, freedom and Britain's independence for future generations. Those who have given so much must surely be given their due."
The Conservatives Shadow Chancellor, Oliver Letwin, added: "It is right that we should use a third of the £4 billion available for tax cuts in our first Budget to help the vulnerable and to reverse one of Mr Blair's most unfair stealth taxes."
The Conservatives also pledged to protect pensioners' existing benefits, such as the Pension Credit, winter fuel allowance, free prescriptions, concessionary travel and TV licenses.
Liberal Democrat Shadow to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Edward Davey, criticised the Conservatives plans, saying that they failed to target the most vulnerable pensioners. He said: "Michael Howard has finally realised that the tax that he and his Party introduced is an unfair burden. But he wouldn't scrap it. The Liberal Democrat proposals to scrap council tax will save the average pensioner far more than the Tory plans, with more than half of pensioners paying no local income tax at all."
Mr Davey also warned: "Pensioners should be wary that this is a promise based on uncosted figures and a cheque from the Conservatives is going to bounce. Scrapping council tax is the only way to make local tax fair and get the most help to vulnerable pensioners."
(KMcA/SP)
Mr Howard said that, under a Conservative government, households where all adults are aged 65 and over would have their council tax bills halved, up to a maximum value of £500. He said that this measure would ensure that five million pensioners would have their council tax bills reduced.
The Conservatives have estimated that 3.8 million households will qualify for the discounts, which they say will not be means-tested.
The announcement is the first in a series of targeted tax cuts from the Conservatives, worth £1.3 billion, which they claim will benefit over five million people in the UK.
Speaking at a press conference in central London, the Conservative leader said: "People will face a clear choice at the election: Conservatives who will give pensioners dignity, security and respect by increasing the state pension and cutting their council tax or Mr Blair, who will forget them and raise their council tax."
Mr Howard said that pensioners were the group hardest hit by council tax rises because they were on fixed incomes: "Many of them served our country at her greatest hour of need, preserving liberty, freedom and Britain's independence for future generations. Those who have given so much must surely be given their due."
The Conservatives Shadow Chancellor, Oliver Letwin, added: "It is right that we should use a third of the £4 billion available for tax cuts in our first Budget to help the vulnerable and to reverse one of Mr Blair's most unfair stealth taxes."
The Conservatives also pledged to protect pensioners' existing benefits, such as the Pension Credit, winter fuel allowance, free prescriptions, concessionary travel and TV licenses.
Liberal Democrat Shadow to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Edward Davey, criticised the Conservatives plans, saying that they failed to target the most vulnerable pensioners. He said: "Michael Howard has finally realised that the tax that he and his Party introduced is an unfair burden. But he wouldn't scrap it. The Liberal Democrat proposals to scrap council tax will save the average pensioner far more than the Tory plans, with more than half of pensioners paying no local income tax at all."
Mr Davey also warned: "Pensioners should be wary that this is a promise based on uncosted figures and a cheque from the Conservatives is going to bounce. Scrapping council tax is the only way to make local tax fair and get the most help to vulnerable pensioners."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 April 2005
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
31 March 2005
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
11 January 2005
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
21 March 2007
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
