Council tax support cuts to hit worst-off (From York Press)

The Council was offered transitional funding by the government which would have substantially reduced the maximum Council Tax benefit reduction that individuals could have suffered…… But they turned it down in the same way that they dismissed the additional grant that was available this year to freeze Council Tax levels.

They look likely to do the same for the forthcoming year as well.

It’s a cynical move which results in the kind of bogus headlines that we see in the this article.

Labour could help the less well off but they choose not to do so.

Why? So that they can blame the coalition government and score a few political points.

Labour have had plenty of time now to refine the way in which the benefits system is operated in York.

Less bureaucracy would mean that more is available to help needy claimants. They haven’t even made a start on reform.

Meanwhile they squander money on” arts barges”, trips to Cannes and poor quality light shows and fireworks displays. All paid for by increased borrowing and a rising debt burden.

That’s the scandal that The Press ought to be exposing.

In any event, the amount that people, earning under £10,000, pay in tax is being reduced again in the New Year.

That’s the kind of good news for the poor that the media choose not to highlight.

Interesting 'balance' from The Press. The quote one Conservative, one Lib Dem and THREE Labour!

At least it means it's one story James Alexander won't insist should be pulled.

Boo hoo micklegate because of how many quotes. I think people can make there own minds up whether its 2 quotes form 1 or 2 from another. Fact Is (oakland) the goverment which i believe your paty LIBS are part of are attacking the poorest and dissavantaged in this country, I have proof of this from some autistic people what they are having to endure becasue of your FANTASTIC goverment. As for York City council you are not helping people at all. I know that you will re-catergorise people so they don't fall under the low band and are now middle band and won't get any more help. Stop point scoring people this country is hitting the poor and vunrable the hardest FACT.

Oaklands resident mentions trips to Cannes.!

If there had not been the exposure on this forum about James Alexanders activities, we would now be mentioning trips to the Phillipines ? which i am very sure cannot now happen.

Local Authority Funding is in a mess thanks not only to 'daft schemes' from the likes of CYC but National Government as well. According to a recent analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, if the forthcoming 2013 spending review is replicated as in previous years ,local government will see budgets reduce by more then 40% between 2010-11 and 2017-18.

Furthermore only 55% of council finance directors thought they would take the government’s financial incentive, to freeze next years council tax .Local Government Association Chairman Sir Merrick Cockell (Con), has also pointed out that councils are already set to lose £1bn in funding in 2013-14 through various mechanisms within the new business rate retention system.

While I always enjoy a laugh on a cold winters morning, the political point scoring by some, is not only disingenuous but irrelevant to the poorest and most vulnerable in our city!

Oaklands Resident wrote:
The Council was offered transitional funding by the government which would have substantially reduced the maximum Council Tax benefit reduction that individuals could have suffered…… But they turned it down in the same way that they dismissed the additional grant that was available this year to freeze Council Tax levels.

They look likely to do the same for the forthcoming year as well.

It’s a cynical move which results in the kind of bogus headlines that we see in the this article.

Labour could help the less well off but they choose not to do so.

Why? So that they can blame the coalition government and score a few political points.

Labour have had plenty of time now to refine the way in which the benefits system is operated in York.

Less bureaucracy would mean that more is available to help needy claimants. They haven’t even made a start on reform.

Meanwhile they squander money on” arts barges”, trips to Cannes and poor quality light shows and fireworks displays. All paid for by increased borrowing and a rising debt burden.

That’s the scandal that The Press ought to be exposing.

In any event, the amount that people, earning under £10,000, pay in tax is being reduced again in the New Year.

That’s the kind of good news for the poor that the media choose not to highlight.

My first though on seeing this too - any hardship is caused by Labour in York - no one else. They messed up the credit union as well, so that's two fingers to the poor!

bob the builder wrote:

Oaklands Resident wrote:
The Council was offered transitional funding by the government which would have substantially reduced the maximum Council Tax benefit reduction that individuals could have suffered…… But they turned it down in the same way that they dismissed the additional grant that was available this year to freeze Council Tax levels.

They look likely to do the same for the forthcoming year as well.

It’s a cynical move which results in the kind of bogus headlines that we see in the this article.

Labour could help the less well off but they choose not to do so.

Why? So that they can blame the coalition government and score a few political points.

Labour have had plenty of time now to refine the way in which the benefits system is operated in York.

Less bureaucracy would mean that more is available to help needy claimants. They haven’t even made a start on reform.

Meanwhile they squander money on” arts barges”, trips to Cannes and poor quality light shows and fireworks displays. All paid for by increased borrowing and a rising debt burden.

That’s the scandal that The Press ought to be exposing.

In any event, the amount that people, earning under £10,000, pay in tax is being reduced again in the New Year.

That’s the kind of good news for the poor that the media choose not to highlight.

My first though on seeing this too - any hardship is caused by Labour in York - no one else. They messed up the credit union as well, so that's two fingers to the poor!

What in the WHOLE of the country, I did not think they had that much influence. It is NOT just the poorest in York being hit it is nation wide, just remind me which two parties are in power.

Conservative Joe Watt said: “I don’t know a single councillor who would wish any more hardship on the poor and needy.”

well maybe not a councillor, but the PM and his creepy looking chancellor seem to be intent on doing this.... so as to save having to put more tax on the big companies who give back handers to the conservatives.