to think this is so unfair.

[newcastle34]

For a single person on £71 a week having to pay a percentage of council tax. Already has to pay £5 every two weeks to travel to next town to sign on as closed job centre in her town.
Council have admitted they are taking money from them but not disabled and those with chidren under 5. Fair enough these groups should be protected but those groups receive a much greater level of benefits to start with.
I am not referring to a workshy person who has never worked. This person worked since school for same company before another firm took over and closed factory. Has worked when she can since but redundancy payments long gone.
Also lives in flat so unable to dry clothes cheaply.
AIBU to think this is unfair.

Not really sure what you're asking. But I think everyone should contribute to council tax.

Depends what the percentage is.
They may be on a low income at present but still benefits from what council tax provides- refuse collection, library's etc

And you can dry clothes in a flat - clothes horse next to a window when the sun is shining or near the radiator (if and when you have the heating on).

By the time I pay all my bills I'm sometimes left with less than £70 a week and I work full time , I do think everyone should have to pay a portion if council tax.

How can she not dry clothes cheaply? She can use a clothes horse or radiators. I lived in a teeny flat with dc1 and managed to dry clothes.

Everyone should pay a percentage as everyone uses the services.

Very unfair to exclude those with young children though as that is a lifestyle choice people make and benefits are very generous to those with children who dont work or work little. It should be the same percentage for them as it is for a single person on JSA.

'Not really sure what you're asking. But I think everyone should contribute to council tax.'

Including students.

I live in a 1.5 bed flat with DH and 2 DC's. We put a dehumidifier under the airer it sucks the water out of the clothes in no time. And we pay full council tax and have far less than £70 per week left between the 4 of us after bills are paid

£71 is before bills are paid though. When i was single I probably had about £50 a week to to live after bills and I was much better off . (Was working full time)

£71 is also for 1 person families of 4 and 5 often have less than that after council tax etc paid.

Clothes can be dried ok in winter but summer is harder. Although maybe get her to try airer below an open window. Not really helped by factthat washing machine broken and does not have money to replace it.

When I was single and childless I could feed myself on £15 a week and not go hungry. You cut your cloth to measure your arse as they say.

Hand wash in a basin until she gets the money together or look at free websites etc.

As I understand it, the problem is that the Government has reduced the amount it gives to Councils to cover Council Tax Benefit by 10%.

Councils have a choice:

1 Cover that 10% themselves, by making cuts elsewhere in a time of other major cuts to their grants from Government;

or

2 Devise a local scheme that protects some groups (some of which are identified by Government) but which requires everyone else to contribute a small amount.

No, it's not fair but tell it to Cameron.

However, check with your Council about its Council Tax Benefit hardship fund and apply according to rules, and apply early.

You can also ask the Council about voluntary organisations or grants that would help with the washng machine.

Thanks line runner. Problem with washing machine too as need to remove top to get it to fit. This of corse invalidated warranty. Going to get her a spindryer.

No it is not unfair.

People trade up washing machines all the time and some charities do 'recondition' and check the old ones for re-use. If you are in the NE then renew is a good starting point.

Not sure how much yet but letter comes across as we have to let x and y off this so you are going to have to subsidise them. She knows a cople she who are both registered disabled and i think receive about £300 between them a week.
They won't have to pay but she will.

Thanks linerunner. She is in south east unfortunately.

Just have a google - advice centres, charities that supply washing machines etc.

It may be unfair that your friend is paying £5 - I do sympathise. But it's hugely unfair to fall into the trap of comparing herself to other people in poor circumstances, such as 'the disabled couple' you mention above.

Some disabled people receive DLA which is not an out of work benefit - it's meant to help with the additional costs of being disabled, such as paying for care and transport.

I'm sure anyone with a disability would swap it in a heartbeat if they could.

You lost any sympathy I had for the situation when you started to compare able bodied people out of work to disabled people.

Not sure exactly what the disability is and no of course no one would want to be disabled. When she complained about the £5 fares the member of staff just said well we have to pay it too. Nice.

Apologies. Probably shouldn't have done that. Was just doing it from a financal side. I don't think they pay for care Incidently my mum was claiming an amount of.attendance allowance i believe so was on £150 per week and felt she was well off.