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Age Concern’s Director General, Gordon Lishman, said:
"Many pensioners will be furious that their Council Tax has almost
doubled since 1997 yet the Basic State Pension has only increased by
around a third. Spiralling increases in Council Tax are causing misery
for thousands of older people, many of whom live on a low, fixed income
and are already finding it difficult to make ends meet.
"A fairer system of taxation in place of Council Tax is urgently
needed. But radical reform of the pensions system is also needed so
that everyone has a decent income in retirement and can afford to pay
their essential bills.
"In the meantime, benefits such as Pension Credit and Council Tax
Benefit are available to help pensioners who are struggling to manage
their bills. Despite Council Tax being a huge financial burden for
many, a staggering £1.1 billion in Council Tax Benefit is left
unclaimed by up to 2 million older people each year. We would urge
older people to contact their local Age Concern to find out what extra
help they could be entitled to."
www.ageconcern.org.uk
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