Story: Douglas Johnson
Anyone in Burngreave who gets council tax benefit is to pay more from April, under new proposals. The Government is scrapping the benefit and making the Council come up with a new scheme with 10% less money. The Council faces a cut of £4.6 million or more as a result.
The Council’s plan is to make people in low-paid work or on benefits pay more. Pensioners will be protected but all other households face a flat-rate increase of £3.76 a week or £2.82 for single people. Paying a flat rate of tax, regardless of income, was a feature of the much-hated poll tax brought in by Margaret Thatcher. Many believe it was why she eventually resigned.
As discounts and exemptions will not be affected, it is important to claim these – especially if residents have had full council tax benefit until now. Council tax bills can be reduced if any resident is under 18, an apprentice, a student or student nurse, a prisoner, a carer or in hospital or a care home, severely mentally impaired or living in a granny flat or an adapted property.
To claim these, visit http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/council-tax or phone: 273 6633