To be scared about how we will cope with more tax rises - council tax

[partytimed]

i really loathe this government. Usually with politics I feel like whoever is in charge I don’t notice much of a direct impact on my day to day life. Yes I’m aware of slow erosions in public services and I was no fan at all of the tories, I voted for this government im ashamed to say, and they lied and lied about their plans. I am so much worse off and if they double council tax bands virtually all of our disposable income is going to be gone. It feels like theft. I don’t trust them to spend the money I make properly it all feels corrupt and it’s just so depressing and upsetting.

Having lived through a few Labour Governments they always tax and spend unfortunately. I didn’t vote for them and never will. I knew this would happen and hopefully they will be gone in 4 years leaving the country in a lot of debt.

This was a comment in the FT not long ago

"My view — and I’m open to being wrong — is that Labour quietly shifted from being the party of the working class to the party for the underclass. Somewhere along the line they stopped fighting for secure jobs and strong unions, and started defending a welfare model that’s morphed from social security into social payment. It no longer shields people from misfortune; it shelters them from consequence. And now they don't know how to sever their Gordian Knot. They don't champion permanent jobs or workers rights, they insist on enlarging a welfare state whilst allowing employment of illegal migrants that they think will be tackled with a new ID card. It is the politics of Owen Jones combined with Orwellian fantasies of societal protection. We are skating dangerously on top of the Laffer Curve whilst in the grip of a populist revolt (Reform) and Labour refuse to acknowledge what the people are saying because it cuts their new political identity open. They rebrand their economic irresponsbility as compassion. The worst outcome of Osborne austerity was Labour positioning themselves to become the party of the welfare state instead of the party of the worker."

I think it's bang on

They don't even tax and spend. "Spending" implies investing in services and development

This lot "tax and pay welfare and service the colossal national debt"

I think you are right

I’m absolutely disgusted with them.

I’m sad that others didn’t see the frankly transparent lies they told. Those best off under Labour will be those who choose not to work and don’t own property. I think to double council tax for those who prioritised buying a home, working and paying taxes - is absolutely disgusting. Sadly once this system is in place any future government is unlikely to remove it. Well done Sheeple.

Well said.

I have a band G house - it's banded as such because it is largish which is what i need to accommodate my disabled son - as an adult he needs some semi independence. It would cost the council a hell of a lot more to house him and provide carers and transport and benefits. We are a single income household (my partner is my son's carer) and i am not a higher rate tax payer so no where near a high earner. I can't afford to pay £600 council tax so will have to sell up if they double it. Then the council would have to find a a lot more money than the £300 a month increase in council tax to support my son. It's a lose, lose, lose situation for everyone in respect of our household.

That comment is, unfortunately, all too accurate.

When I compare family member who has never worked, has two dcs (no fathers), has social housing house, motability car etc etc… with another who is same age with dh and fcs and works…. Well, it’s not just who is better off but who is far better off.

If people’s shelter that they paid for, nay trying to pay for is seen as fair game then that really is kicking any aspiration or even self-reliance in the teeth.

If part of the reason you have the property is to accommodate your disabled son you may be able to argue to get a band reduction - have you looked into this?

Linking here in case useful for you or anyone else.

www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

Thank you, yes i just applied for it today. I did try before and got put off by the council but i think they misled me on what the rules are. Looking at the rules today we look as if we qualify. If we can get the band reduced to F it would make a huge difference.

Mine’s doubled to £600 per year. Also Thames Water.

Ageing population, legacy of austerity, brexit, global instability.

None of it is labour's fault. Truth is we're in the shit whatever party is in charge.

Water bills were kept artificially low for a decade or more to avoid adding to pain during austerity. Then things started falling apart and bills have gone up.

The NI policy, and other policies are Labour’s fault. It hasn’t helped and is causing the need for more taxes.

The chagos islands thing was also their fault

That's not entirely true.

Labour was split on Brexit. They didn't come out against it, as a party during the campaign.

You realise they do this everytime they release things into the press then when it only goes up 20% people will be thrilled

When people apply for planning consent the properties should be reassessed. I know a three story house that had a small ground floor expansion for their daughter and then a carer - this planning consent went back decades and the conditions said it could not be extended further. The main resident died and the property was sold to a developer, who after multiple applications being refused obtained planning consent for a three story house. The three story house is band A because the developer has not sold it - his daughter lives in it and the newcomers from abroad renting the main house pays full council tax. This is in South London.

I’d like to say that when anyone posted anything anti Labour in the run up to the election in 2024, they were accused of being a Tory bot or working for Tory HQ. And worst of all, MNHQ let these comments stand - a clear violation of talk guidelines accusing a poster of not being genuine.

i hope anyone who posted “Tory bot” or similar feels like the absolute fucking non-thinking idiot they are.

True

There hasn't been one positive thing from this sham.

Not scared at all, band B. Happy that Labour support the lower paid and worse off.

OP - it’s a matter of days before the budget - try not to panic until it is actually announced.
I understand the fear - I’m in a group that lots of people would love to see hit by cuts by virtue of my daughter’s congenital condition and I can’t change my world at all so like everyone else I am worried a bit - but it’s not done yet, so worrying right now doesn’t help.
I actually do not think the council tax hike as reported will happen but I do think they will raise tax despite what they promised.
If they were a government of compassion as per the cited view above they’d have compassion for people who work flat out to provide for themselves and others around them - they are far from a true labour government. Very far. But it doesn’t mean every single press prediction will actually be in the budget.

Yep, this. I’m trying to avoid all the nonsense but this budget has been the worst for testing policies I’ve ever seen! I’ll worry about it when it happens, not living in the constant state of unnecessary anxiety.

All properties need reevaluating for council tax. Basing anything on figures from 1991 is insanity! We moved house this year. Sold for £600,000 - band D. Bought for £300,000 - band F. Same council.