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Original poster

Cut benefits before increasing council tax

460 replies

Bonde · 15/11/2025 15:19

https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/reeves-council-tax-hike-5HjdMrJ_2/

As an increase in income tax is now out the window, the government will have to look at other ways to fill the gap by increasing a dozen smaller taxes. One option, I think they will opt for, is to apply a surcharge for homes in bands F,G&H. It would be politically expedient to do so because many people will assume those in such homes are wealthy.

We purchased our band f property earlier this year at £550k. We live in London and didn’t want to uproot our family, and move jobs, so decided to buy our 2.5 bed house.
After mortgage and bills, we have £100 to £200 left over, but some months have nothing. An increase would be so difficult to manage.

Why can’t the government have the courage to cut benefits. You can buy a BMW or Mercedes on the Mobility Scheme! Why?

Reeves set to hit thousands of homes with new levy after massive U-turn on income tax | LBC

The Chancellor is preparing to hit homes in the highest council tax bands with a new surcharge

https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/reeves-council-tax-hike-5HjdMrJ_2/

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
SpaceRaccoon · 15/11/2025 15:44

KaySam · 15/11/2025 15:37

Instead of bashing disabled benefit claimants,who never own those motobilty cars

maybe think to as why you bought a house you can barely afford,one day your mortgage may go up and you could lose that house.You may need to claim a benefit we never know what can happen.

That's the thing though. A lot of houses in Band F and even higher aren't expensive mansions. But no-one could foresee their council tax getting randomly doubled - it's a huge hike.

I'm in Band F and my house is worth less than a 1 bed flat in London.

Sesma · 15/11/2025 15:44

Not all London is low just parts, probably the more wealthy areas

OSTMusTisNT · 15/11/2025 15:43

Scotland already have to pay extra Ctax on bands E-H and have done for several years now. I wouldn't be surprised if that becomes the norm in England as well.

Sesma · 15/11/2025 15:42

MintTwirl · 15/11/2025 15:38

Seriously, you are taking posts on Reddit as fact?

Show quote history

It's no different to here, a lot isn't fact here

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 15/11/2025 15:42

Yabu.
London council tax is well below the national average. It’s about time things were evened up. Band F in Westminster is only £1500/yr, whereas Band F in my deprived rural area is £3500/yr.

VickyEadieofThigh · 15/11/2025 15:42

DeafLeppard · 15/11/2025 15:37

Totally agree. I got posts deleted when I pointed out that a poster banging on about their Motability car being essential for them, had said in a previous post its main use was getting their DH to work, and she hardly used it.

But that poster would still be entitled to the benefit that was used to lease a motability car - that she used it to lease the car cost the taxpayer no more than if she'd just had it oaid into her bank account.

MintTwirl · 15/11/2025 15:41

DeafLeppard · 15/11/2025 15:39

They’re probably no more or less reliable than Mumsnet.

Show quote history

I wouldn’t take posts on mumsnet as fact either. I would hope most adults would be able to use appropriate means to find out the facts before trying to demonise people needing the use the scheme based on something they read on reddit(or mumsnet).

Ineffable23 · 15/11/2025 15:41

I mea honestly I would rather they just put income tax up.

Put it up 2p, bring main rate NI down 1p. Gets 2p extra on all pensions, landlords and savings, 1p extra for "working families" under 50k and 2p extra above 50k. I reckon based on back of the envelope calculations that that that would raise about £10Bn.

Probably keep chucking capital gains tax up while I was at it, as assets making money shouldn't really be taxed less than humans making money.

Whaleandsnail6 · 15/11/2025 15:41

ninjahamster · 15/11/2025 15:26

Oh FFS, another benefit bashing thread.

Because those of us claiming are living the life of Riley didn’t you know? Foreign holidays, sports cars, latest tech…

Honestly, you have no clue. If my benefits were reduced, we would be in serious difficulty. Our income barely covers the essentials (my husband works). But that’s ok is it? Because we are poor and deserve to be poorer?

I suppose what op is saying is the council tax increase will put them, and likely many others in serious difficulty. People recieving benefits aren't the only sector of people who are under financial strain

Just because someone has a band F,G and H council tax home, doesn't mean they are rolling in it.

EditorInChief · 15/11/2025 15:41

Bonde · 15/11/2025 15:36

I apologise if I come across as lacking empathy. I had read a post on Reddit where a posted had claimed his relatives were all claiming these benefits even though they didn’t need to.

Show quote history

Reddit? Good grief, instead of spitting out untruths why don't you actually do some research.

SD1978 · 15/11/2025 15:39

You chose a house you could barely afford, no one chooses a disability…….

DeafLeppard · 15/11/2025 15:39

MintTwirl · 15/11/2025 15:38

Seriously, you are taking posts on Reddit as fact?

Show quote history

They’re probably no more or less reliable than Mumsnet.

MintTwirl · 15/11/2025 15:38

Bonde · 15/11/2025 15:36

I apologise if I come across as lacking empathy. I had read a post on Reddit where a posted had claimed his relatives were all claiming these benefits even though they didn’t need to.

Show quote history

Seriously, you are taking posts on Reddit as fact?

Plantatreetoday · 15/11/2025 15:38

bignewprinz · 15/11/2025 15:35

I am disappointed they have back-tracked on the income tax increase. It seemed the most sensible solution.

It was an easy solution but if you’re going to tax income more you need to reassess benefits aswell or the electorate will revolt
Leaking the drop of the 2 child cap
whilst at the same time inc income tax was never going to go down well

Rubbertreesurgeon · 15/11/2025 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

DeafLeppard · 15/11/2025 15:37

Totally agree. I got posts deleted when I pointed out that a poster banging on about their Motability car being essential for them, had said in a previous post its main use was getting their DH to work, and she hardly used it.

KaySam · 15/11/2025 15:37

Instead of bashing disabled benefit claimants,who never own those motobilty cars

maybe think to as why you bought a house you can barely afford,one day your mortgage may go up and you could lose that house.You may need to claim a benefit we never know what can happen.

Original poster
Bonde · 15/11/2025 15:36

JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch · 15/11/2025 15:27

I think there’s a point in there somewhere, but you need a better understanding of the Motability scheme. The “Ooh, they get a free BMW” schtick doesn’t make for a reasoned argument.

I apologise if I come across as lacking empathy. I had read a post on Reddit where a posted had claimed his relatives were all claiming these benefits even though they didn’t need to.

OP posts:
Genevieva · 15/11/2025 15:35

BobblyBobbleHat · 15/11/2025 15:21

This would also be unfair because of the discrepancy in what those bands actually mean in different counties. Someone in the same band could well be paying hundreds more or less a month, depending on their council.

I agree. We are band F, as are a lot of the houses in the surrounding area even though they probably shouldn’t be. All because some idiot councillor in the 70s thought we were a pretty area and a potentially desirable holiday destination. But we couldn’t afford to buy a studio flat in London for the sale price of our family home. Plus we don’t get the amazing public services Londoner enjoy. Our local bus service has been cancelled. The village GP surgery closed and amalgamated in a hub in a larger village. The bin collections have been reduced. There are potholes everywhere that never get fixed. And people are on their knees financially because small local businesses are being eviscerated. This will bankrupt people.

bignewprinz · 15/11/2025 15:35

I am disappointed they have back-tracked on the income tax increase. It seemed the most sensible solution.

Plantatreetoday · 15/11/2025 15:33

Agree
a huge council tax rise on those in certain houses is ridiculous and fails to understand
-a lot of people don’t have the money
-the negative effect it will have on the housing market

Labour need to sort out expenditure first and foremost

Rubbertreesurgeon · 15/11/2025 15:31

Bonde · 15/11/2025 15:19

https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/reeves-council-tax-hike-5HjdMrJ_2/

As an increase in income tax is now out the window, the government will have to look at other ways to fill the gap by increasing a dozen smaller taxes. One option, I think they will opt for, is to apply a surcharge for homes in bands F,G&H. It would be politically expedient to do so because many people will assume those in such homes are wealthy.

We purchased our band f property earlier this year at £550k. We live in London and didn’t want to uproot our family, and move jobs, so decided to buy our 2.5 bed house.
After mortgage and bills, we have £100 to £200 left over, but some months have nothing. An increase would be so difficult to manage.

Why can’t the government have the courage to cut benefits. You can buy a BMW or Mercedes on the Mobility Scheme! Why?

also, can you please link how it works to buy a mobility BMW???

CryMyEyesViolet · 15/11/2025 15:30

What is your monthly council tax bill? Because it’s usually a steal in London compared to elsewhere…

CherryRipe1 · 15/11/2025 15:29

People on disability benefits don't buy their vehicles. It's like a lease hire scheme with better conditions and the mobility component is taken from the claimants benefits and pays for the vehicle hire. The recipients can no longer buy the vehicle back when the lease expires. They can lease another vehicle or keep hiring the current one. Some need very large vehicles for their disability aids like hoists, power wheelchairs and scooters. Many recipients work.

youalright · 15/11/2025 15:29

If you are going to write posts like this at least get your facts right. You can't buy a car through the motability scheme you can lease a car at a monthly cost and a large down payment but you don't own it.

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