LABOUR’S parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le-Surf, has criticised Basildon Council’s aggressive tactics in the recovery of council tax from disabled residents.
Of the 1137 residents in the borough with disabilities and falling into arrears, 916 have had summons issued against them since last April.
Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, Basildon Council have instructed bailiffs to recover money from 123 residents with disabilities.
Me. Le-Surf said: “This is a disgrace. It is bad enough that Basildon Council has to implement these heavy cuts passed down from central government but sending in the bailiffs is both aggressive and unnecessary. Many people with disabilities have had to pay council tax for the first time at an average amount of around £180. They should be offered support not issed with a summons and face the bailiffs.”
“Last year I marched with residents through the town against the cuts to hot meals at day services for the elderly. This year we are seeing the Basildon Tories once again attacking the vulnerable and pushing people further into hardship.”
“I plan to meet with members of the Basildon Disability Forum next week to discuss the issues raised and hear from local residents who are affected by this policy.”
But the Thurrock Labour Council is positively angelic????
Some Local Authorities have made disabled people exempt from these changes and still give them 100% Council Tax Support if they qualify.
The problem is Central Government has allowed each local authority to decide who they consider to be ‘vulnerable’ residents. Some councils have decided the disabled should be classed as ‘vulnerable’ others like Basildon don’t and have cut their benefit.
Mr Lesurf can huff and puff all he likes but will a future Labour Government centralise Council Tax support again and restore the 100% subsidy Local Authorities used to receive?