Source:  www.seniorsnetwork.co.uk 

Press Release
Embargo: Immediate release -23 March 2005
 
Budget Announcement - the Sting in the Tail.
 
The vote catching Chancellor announced a one-off 200 payment to all
council tax paying households with someone over 65 living there
But this had a "sting in the tail" .

The means tested Council Tax Benefit is not being taken up enough to
satisfy Gordon Brown.  

The small print in the latest budget indicates that the one-off 200
payment announced by the Chancellor is going to be used as a
battering ram to force older people to claim Council Tax Benefit. 
 
The budget reads:  "People who are receiving the guarantee element
of Pension Credit - and therefore 
eligible for Council Tax Benefit - will not receive this payment"
John Lynch of Seniors Network  said "I am absolutely appalled that
the Chancellor will stoop as low as this.  This will affect over 2
million older people nationwide.  This is a crazy way of helping him
to disperse the ?870 million unclaimed Council Tax benefit"    
 
I wonder what are his election chances are now?
 
ENDS
 
For further info contact:
John Lynch 01236 435156
WEB SITE: www.seniorsnetwork.co.uk 
EMAIL: John@ukpensioners.org.uk
 
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