Pensioners Protest over Council Tax

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Mar 2003

Pensioners - belonging to the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance - have protested to local politicians about the proposed 16% (plus) increase in council tax in Richmond.

Vincent Cable, MP, is replying to the pensioners group expressing support for the campaign - based on the very low indexation of state and civil service pensions.

Vincent Cable said: "council tax is very regressive and has now become a major problem for pensioners in particular. When it was introduced as an alternative to the hated poll tax, there was relief but it has increased across the country way in excess of inflation. "

"In our borough council tax will soon absorb a quarter of the increase of a couple on a state pension."

"This is completely unacceptable and unfair. Council tax needs to be replaced by a local tax related to ability to pay - that is, income. In the meantime, I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues in parliament are arguing for an across-the-board cut in council tax of £100 financed by a higher (50%) rate of tax on incomes over £100,000. Contact - Mr Diaper, 24 Cromwell Road Teddington