High tax for those who gave their all doesn't add up (From Warrington Guardian)

High tax for those who gave their all doesn't add up

PENSIONERS in Winsford are struggling to keep up with soaring Council Tax rises, the town's Conservative MP has claimed following the publication of new figures.

Stephen O'Brien is growing concerned about the impact of the rises on senior citizens who live on fixed incomes and says the research - compiled by his party - shows that a third of the increases in pension payments since 1997 has been 'snatched back' in Council Tax.

The MP believes that the Government has put extra burdens on the borough and county councils and effectively 'fiddled the system' of local government funding.

He said: "Since 1997, a pensioner couple's basic state pension has risen by £1,427 and by £892 for a single pensioner.

"Yet by contrast, Council Tax in Eddisbury has on average risen by £483 on Band D bills for a typical two-person household and £363 for a single household."

Harry Mooney, chairman of Vale Royal Pensioners' Association, agrees that pensioners have a difficult time coping with Council Tax and that the state pension is insufficient.

He is starting a petition opposing council tax rises for the elderly.

He said: "We have just had the 60th anniversary of D-Day and our pensioners gave their all - many gave their lives - for this country in D-Day.

"I wasn't in the forces but I worked seven days a week helping to build landing boats.

"We made a lot of sacrifices over the years and the state pension does not reflect that. Any Council Tax rise is terrible for old people and very difficult for all the association's members.

"We are among the worst paid pensioners in Europe. They give us next to nothing."

Mr O'Brien said that a Tory government would cut back on council red tape and put an end to 'fiddled local funding'.

He added: "We would also give pensioners a fairer deal by increasing the basic state pension each year by earnings, not prices.

"It's time to reverse the spread of means testing which many pensioners find unfair, complex and intrusive and give all Eddisbury pensioners a fair deal."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk