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John Leech MP slams government over Council Tax let down for 6,600 pensioners in Manchester Withington
June 26, 2006 9:01 AM
John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has revealed figures showing that 6,670 pensioners in Manchester Withington have had £200 each snatched from them by the Chancellor this year.
In answer to a parliamentary question from John Leech, a Government minister admitted that 6,670 Age-Related Payments of £200 each to help with Council Tax bills were made to pensioners in Manchester Withington last year. These payments were announced just before the general election, but the Chancellor refused to repeat the payments this year, meaning 6,670 pensioners in South Manchester are £200 each worse off. Nationally the figure is 6,174,570.
John Leech said:
"I am shocked at the extent of the Chancellors let down for pensioners in Manchester Withington. The absence of a Council Tax rebate from this years Budget means a rise in pensioners' bills of at least £200. Gordon Brown has abandoned pensioners this year, refusing to repeat his pre-election bribe of a £200 rebate. It will be the first time pensioners' bills have risen since they took to the streets more than two years ago."
"The absence of any pre-election bribe this time round surely must now spell the end of this hated and unfair tax. It must be replaced by a system of tax which is based on ability to pay."
ENDS
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