Shrewsbury Town Council objects to moves from Shropshire Council to reduce council tax benefit

The council was responding to a consultation paper from Shropshire Council aimed at changes which would see a total of £1.1million cut for many vulnerable people who face the Universal Credit roll-out.

The Government or the local authority sets an applicable amount which determines how much those in receipt of benefits need to live on.

Under the plans, the council proposes that people on council tax support should pay 20 per cent of this amount.

Leader of the council, Labour’s Councillor Alan Mosley proposed a motion which was largely carried at the council's meeting on Monday.

The motion was: “Shrewsbury Town Council greatly rejects that the proposals will lead to significant additional hardship for many of our most vulnerable residents.

"We wish to register our strong objections to the political and economic policies on which the change of policy is based."

Councillor Mosley said the proposed changes would "throw more families into debt".

He added: “It is obvious that this move will throw more families into debt and add to the struggles faced by many adults and children.

"As a local council we have an obligation to stand up for our residents, particularly those most in need.

"This is what we are doing here in objecting both to the Government in Westminster and to their colleagues in the administration at the Shirehall.

"These cuts are inequitable in their impact, they carry a large and expensive administrative burden and will damage families and communities.”

In supporting the motion, Councillor Harry Taylor said: “This is further evidence that the uncaring policies of the Government are having serious implications for the people of Shrewsbury.

"There is a massive black hole in Shropshire Council’s finances and we must make everyone aware of the dire consequences.

"More and more are struggling to make ends meet, including many at work, and imposing these benefit cuts will push them further into hardship at a time when the rich are getting richer.”

Shropshire Council's cabinet has previously agreed to pursue with the changes to the existing scheme to align with housing benefit and introduce a minimum award of £1.50 per week and apply the 20 per cent minimum payment in council tax support, which was one of four options.

The preferred option will be subject to a public consultation and be brought to full council on December 14 for final approval, coming into effect from April 2018.