11,000 vulnerable people in Telford to pay more council tax

At a full meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council held last night, members voted to approve plans that will see people who receive Council Tax Benefit pay between 21 per cent and 25 per cent of their bill.

The council says it will be £3.1 million a year worse off when the Government abolishes a key tax benefit in April.

The Labour-led authority said about 8,000 people in the area who currently do not pay any council tax, due to benefits, would now have to make contributions from April.

More than 3,000 people who already make a contribution will see that contribution increase.

However, pensioners and people with severe disabilities would not be affected.

Councillor Bill McClements said it was with a 'heavy heart' that the council was introducing the policy.

He said: "I find it very upsetting that I am putting this proposal forward. But I am given no choice because there is a Government in power which is deeply flawed.

"In the future more people will need to claim Council Tax Benefit because of the harsh economy but the Government wants us to take away the support we can offer.

"We have no option but to make cutbacks and this is the best proposal we could come up with following an extensive public consultation."

Councillor Derek White said: "There are times in this council chamber when we have to make horrible decisions.

"This is one of those times. I will support this but I do not want to.

"People are not going to be able to pay these bills."

Tory Councillor Ian Fletcher added: "I would like to remind the council that they did not help the situation when they raised council tax by 2.5 per cent back in April."