17,700 Salford people are set to see their low incomes get even lower when Salford Council rubber stamps a cut in support for Council Tax at its meeting tomorrow. Areas of Salford with the most people affected are Broughton (2,085), Langworthy (1,754), Little Hulton (1,623), Barton (1,257) and Irwell Riverside (1,252).
Since April 2013, Salford Council has made everyone in the city of working age pay at least 12% of their Council Tax bill, no matter how low their income. From April 2015 it is aiming to increase this to 15%, a rise of 3%, above inflation and above any rises in benefit payments. It will see people paying an extra £30-£46 next year, in addition to things like the Bedroom Tax and other cuts in support, as ConDem Government policies hit the city's poorest.
Indeed, the Government's cut in `indicative funding' for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme is £3.5million, and a `community impact report' by Salford City Council on the increased payments being forced on the 17,700 people states it "will reduce the disposable income of many on low incomes, increasing socio-economic inequality..."
A consultation was run on the cut during October and December, and 74% who currently claim the extra help in paying Council Tax disagreed with the 3% rise. Overall, a total of 703 responses were received with 48.5% (343) supporting the proposal and 51.5% (360) not supporting. Unsurprisingly, 65.5% of those who weren't claiming Council Tax Reduction supported the increased payments.
Salford's councillors will vote on the proposal at tomorrow's full meeting of the Council.
Salford Star will be livestreaming the Council meeting from around 9:30am to view, see the Salford Star Bambuser channel click here
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