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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:
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Pasadena · 15/11/2025 22:46

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rainingsnoring · 15/11/2025 22:44

rogueherries · 15/11/2025 22:35

Talking emotionally about the vulnerable is all well and good, but there’s no money anymore. We can’t spend what we don’t have.

The UK is borrowing unbelievable sums of money just to service the debt. I don’t think many people realise what an appalling financial situation this country is in. We can’t afford all the things people want - and they’re in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later. A huge financial crisis is coming down the pipeline and people should plan accordingly.

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Exactly this. It's utterly rubbish but this is the reality.

UserFront242 · 15/11/2025 22:43

rogueherries · 15/11/2025 22:35

Talking emotionally about the vulnerable is all well and good, but there’s no money anymore. We can’t spend what we don’t have.

The UK is borrowing unbelievable sums of money just to service the debt. I don’t think many people realise what an appalling financial situation this country is in. We can’t afford all the things people want - and they’re in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later. A huge financial crisis is coming down the pipeline and people should plan accordingly.

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How can you "plan accordingly" when you live on benefits due to disability and have no wiggle room in your finances? And it is not like you can just up your hours or get a better paid job.
But it is ok. Slash the benefits from people who can't afford it just so the better off don't have to be a tiny bit less better off.

rogueherries · 15/11/2025 22:41

youalright · 15/11/2025 22:38

Disability benefits accounts for less then 4% of government spending so i don't think the disabled are the problem.

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There will be massive cuts. Anyone who’s ignoring the reality of what’s facing us has their head in the sand, or is engaging in wishful thinking. All this funding will be cut to the bone.

youalright · 15/11/2025 22:38

rogueherries · 15/11/2025 22:35

Talking emotionally about the vulnerable is all well and good, but there’s no money anymore. We can’t spend what we don’t have.

The UK is borrowing unbelievable sums of money just to service the debt. I don’t think many people realise what an appalling financial situation this country is in. We can’t afford all the things people want - and they’re in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later. A huge financial crisis is coming down the pipeline and people should plan accordingly.

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Disability benefits accounts for less then 4% of government spending so i don't think the disabled are the problem.

rogueherries · 15/11/2025 22:35

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:15

Fair enough. I don't disagree with that sentiment. Targeting one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Society, is not the way to go though. It is a false economy, and could end up costing them more. It will be a tense time for many, until we know what the budget entails.

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Talking emotionally about the vulnerable is all well and good, but there’s no money anymore. We can’t spend what we don’t have.

The UK is borrowing unbelievable sums of money just to service the debt. I don’t think many people realise what an appalling financial situation this country is in. We can’t afford all the things people want - and they’re in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later. A huge financial crisis is coming down the pipeline and people should plan accordingly.

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:29

Plantatreetoday · 15/11/2025 22:26

Mumsnet is going to be wild on that day

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🤪 yep!

youalright · 15/11/2025 22:27

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:20

I think that it is the 26th of November.

Thankyou

Plantatreetoday · 15/11/2025 22:26

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:20

I think that it is the 26th of November.

Mumsnet is going to be wild on that day

GarlicBreadStan · 15/11/2025 22:26

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I didn't know I was autistic until I started looking into it for my son. Suddenly, it all clicked. I have worked jobs - too many of them, to be fair. I've tried all different kinds, all different hours, all different sectors (that I'm qualified for with a shit education) and every single one of them made me physically ill from autistic burnout.

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:20

I think that it is the 26th of November.

youalright · 15/11/2025 22:18

When is the budget?

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:15

EasternStandard · 15/11/2025 22:11

Of course but there is still a hole to fill and it’s not looking likely that benefits / welfare will be cut so there will be an increase somewhere.

It’s normal to say I can’t do this if it’s you targeted when already stretched.

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Fair enough. I don't disagree with that sentiment. Targeting one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Society, is not the way to go though. It is a false economy, and could end up costing them more. It will be a tense time for many, until we know what the budget entails.

rainingsnoring · 15/11/2025 22:15

EasternStandard · 15/11/2025 19:40

‘She’ I think the pp was referring to the other poster. If you’re referring to me 😂 I can see your post.

Yes Labour are increasing tax in some way. Some will yawn as it’s not them coughing up as usual.

You too? As long as it’s not you paying?

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Why assume that? I'm a realist and can see that taxes will inevitably rise and cuts be made. It doesn't matter which party is in charge.

Snailslide · 15/11/2025 22:13

SuffolkSun · 15/11/2025 21:06

The OP is sitting in a house worth over 500K that she chose to buy because she wanted to be in that area. Presumably she feels the high mortgage costs each month are worth it.

Many on here would love to live in a specific area no doubt - but, you know what, they can't afford to. So, they live somewhere they can afford.

I believe a usual prescrption dished out on this platform is "just get a better paid job". Perhaps the OP could try that.

What? She lives in London in a place that costs £550k. No offence OP but that’s not going to be a fucking mansion is it? It’s going to be a home full of compromises at best and a shithole at worst. It’s not somewhere the ‘chose’ to be, it’s the best they can afford.

I doubt she thinks the mortgage is ‘worth it’. I’d imagine she thinks she needs to live somewhere. Have you seen what you got for £550 in London??? Think £200k in Manchester, that sort of place. Hardly the sort of situation you want to pay extra tax because you’re ‘wealthy’! Get a grip guys!

EasternStandard · 15/11/2025 22:11

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:08

Do I come across as pro Labour? I would say that I feel that they have been a big letdown, and I feel more drawn to the Green Party, but that is another conversation. As I was saying earlier, we have not had the budget yet, so it is all just speculation/ lies, at this moment in time, imo.

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Of course but there is still a hole to fill and it’s not looking likely that benefits / welfare will be cut so there will be an increase somewhere.

It’s normal to say I can’t do this if it’s you targeted when already stretched.

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 22:08

EasternStandard · 15/11/2025 21:57

So you’re still pro Labour then? Why?

If people want benefits to stay as they are then yes there will be increase in tax, looking like it could be council tax as op states. Someone has to pay even if you don’t want to.

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Do I come across as pro Labour? I would say that I feel that they have been a big letdown, and I feel more drawn to the Green Party, but that is another conversation. As I was saying earlier, we have not had the budget yet, so it is all just speculation/ lies, at this moment in time, imo.

godmum56 · 15/11/2025 22:07

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.

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oh Reddit.....oh it must be true then

Plantatreetoday · 15/11/2025 22:01

Overthemhills · 15/11/2025 20:16

@Pasadena
So how much time would you place on my daughter’s abilities? She can’t walk or talk or eat. She probably has intellectual disabilities that mean she will stay at the mental age of a below 5 year old for life.
Please tell me how long a Welfare State system should allow her?

@Pasadena was referencing a non disabled person
your daughters disabilities aren’t relevant to her comments

YowieeF · 15/11/2025 22:00

Don’t believe everything you read about motability and benefits.

EasternStandard · 15/11/2025 21:57

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 21:48

No what makes me yawn, is your constant digs at the Labour Government, as if we were doing so great under the Last Government. We have not even had the budget yet. Anyway, as you were!

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So you’re still pro Labour then? Why?

If people want benefits to stay as they are then yes there will be increase in tax, looking like it could be council tax as op states. Someone has to pay even if you don’t want to.

LadyKenya · 15/11/2025 21:48

EasternStandard · 15/11/2025 19:26

I’m glad paying more makes you yawn. How much are you coughing up?

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No what makes me yawn, is your constant digs at the Labour Government, as if we were doing so great under the Last Government. We have not even had the budget yet. Anyway, as you were!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 15/11/2025 21:48

UserFront242 · 15/11/2025 21:26

Mine is Band B, but if it was to be revalued and recalculated now, it would be Band G. A massive jump.
Would be £1,842.58 to £3,948.40, and that is how it is now. Not with the proposed increase for the upper bands.

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Yes it would be a huge increase but still be less than a Band G where I live ( not London)

UserFront242 · 15/11/2025 21:46

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Many parents of autistic children find out they are autistic themselves after their kid's have been diagnosed and they related to the traits.
Many autistic women would have been previously diagnosed with things like social anxiety and EUPD, and gone on to have children that were diagnosed with ASD.

Pasadena · 15/11/2025 21:41

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