Tory's claim pensioners losing 478 to Labour

The Conservative Party claims pensioners are paying nearly 500 more in council taxes.

13:07 08 June 2004

New research published by the Conservative Party shows that pensioners are paying nearly 500 more in council taxes under the Labour Government.

For a typical pensioner couple in England, one third of the increase in their basic state pension since 1997 has been snatched back in higher council taxes. As for a typical single pensioner, 40 per cent of their pension has been lost.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Local & Devolved Government Affairs, Caroline Spelmam, said: "I am growing increasingly concerned about the impact of soaring council taxes on pensioners who are on fixed incomes."

She added: "What Gordon Brown has added to the state pension, one third has been snatched back in council tax alone for a pensioner couple."

The Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, David Willetts has also commented on the findings in a document entitled 'Let down by Labour on pensions'.

It details Conservative plans to help the present and future pensioners. He explains:
"Pension schemes are in crisis and annuities have halved. All that Labour have done in the midst of this crisis is spread intrusive means testing to more and more pensioners."

Promoting the Conservative way he said: "Conservatives are committed to reversing the spread of means testing by increasing the basic state pension by earnings, not prices."

This could mean that as many as a million pensioners are taken off the means test during the first term of a Conservative Government.

He concluded by saying: "We are also committed to creating better rewards for saving so that once more, people can enjoy dignity and security in retirement."