COUNCIL TAX RISES - PENSIONERS PROTEST

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Police in London counted some 600 protesters walking from Trafalgar Square to number 10 Downing Street to present a 35,000-strong petition calling for an end to the present council tax.  The pensioners say they want a new system means tested as to ability to pay.

The demonstration was organised by the campaign group: 'Is It Fair', which claims on average, the cost of council tax has risen by up to 70% since 1997. The group said they had counted more than 2,000 people attending the rally.

Pensioners rally to protest against rising council tax bills - 17 Jan 2004

Christine Melsom, the campaign head said: "I think it has gone very well, considering the march was off, then on.  "It had been cancelled at the end of last week and on Thursday I was told it was back on again.  She added: "We will march again if it's necessary. We must get the council tax changed - it needs to be changed into something fairer. We cannot afford to pay it." Many protesters said they had made a late decision to demonstrate against this senseless tax, having heard the protest mentioned on the morning news.

Bryce Kerr, 68, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said he was in London and felt obliged to attend where most of the pensioners are too frail to come.  "My mum and me, we are relatively okay in terms of finance, but I want to be here for people who cannot do it themselves.  

"For those people who find themselves burdened by the council tax." Ken Lacey, chairman of the Western Senior Citizen's Forum, had traveled to London with a coach party of 30 people from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.  The 76-year-old said : "My pension went up £100 last year. My council tax went up £154. Clearly, under the present scheme many people, not just pensioners, are worse off.  Apparently, lot of our members are considering not paying above the rate of inflation this year.   "If we have to go to court we will go mob-handed."  Protesters want the tax replaced by one based on their ability to pay.

 

 

Campaign for the Reform of Council Tax

 

 

Endorsed by
The Royal British Legion

 

The IsItFair campaign is NATIONWIDE, NON-PARTY POLITICAL and FOR EVERYONE (not only pensioners) who wants the existing system of Council Tax abolished.  

If you have been outraged by the relentless, year on year, inflation-busting increases in Council Tax, then this is YOUR CAMPAIGN. Please support it in whatever way you can.  

The average rise for 2003/2004 was 12.9 per cent and was a direct result of central Government action. It is set to continue. Government is using the council tax system as a stealth tax. Grants have been redistributed away from many areas. At the same time, Government has dictated that spending in these same areas is significantly increased. On average, the cost of council tax has increased by up to 70% since 1997. The forecasts for next year's rises are already being reported at 10%. Central Government blames local county councils for all the extortionate rises.  

Our aims are to make people aware of the need for action and to have the existing property-value-based council tax replaced by a system that takes account of the ability to pay. People power will achieve this.  

To support this campaign please see our How You Can Help page for details of many ways in which you can help.  

The organizers want to hear from you as your views are very important to them. Without your input they will have nothing to fight for on your behalf.  Please leave your comments on the Forum.  

 

 

 

Josephine Rooney - jailed for protest 26 June 2006

 

 

 

 

For further information and the latest news by email subscribe to the mailing list.  

SEE STORIES ON THIS SITE AS TO HOW YOUR RATE MONEY IS WASTED BY CORRUPT COUNCIL OFFICIALS WITH COMPLACENT COUNCILLORS AT THE HELM - YOU'VE GOT A RIGHT TO COMPLAIN!

CLICK HERE to goto C.R.A.G. - Craven Ratepayers Action Group - Cowling - North Yorkshire
CLICK HERE to goto C.T.A.G. - Council Tax Action Group - Amersham - Buckinghamshire
CLICK HERE to goto C.T.C. - Fair Taxes - Plymouth - Devon
CLICK HERE to goto D.O.C.T. - Durhamites Opposing Council Tax - Bishop Auckland - County Durham
CLICK HERE to goto D.O.R.S.E.T. - Dorset's Outraged Residents Scorn Excessive Tax - Dorset
CLICK HERE to goto D.P.A.F. - Devon Pensioners Action Forum - Axminster - Devon
CLICK HERE to goto F.A.C.T. - Folk Against Council Tax - Norwich - Norfolk
CLICK HERE to goto H.A.C.T. - Hertfordshire Against Council Tax - Ware - Hertfordshire
CLICK HERE to goto H.C.T.C. - Harrow Council Tax Campaign - Hatch End - Middlesex
CLICK HERE to goto IOW C.T.A.G. - Council Tax Action Group - The Isle of Wight
CLICK HERE to goto L.A.C.T. - Lancastrians Against Council Tax - Lancashire
CLICK HERE to goto N.P.A.C.T. - Norfolk PACT (People Against Council Tax) - Holt - Norfolk
CLICK HERE to goto O.C.T.A.G. - Oxfordshire Council Tax Action Group - Oxford
CLICK HERE to goto P.A.C.T. - People Against Council Tax - Barrow in Furness - Cumbria
CLICK HERE to goto P.A.C.T.S. - People Against Council Tax Suffolk - Suffolk
CLICK HERE to goto P.A.R.T. - People Against Rises in Council Tax - Hastings - East Sussex
CLICK HERE to goto S.A.A.C.T. - Scottish Action Against Council Tax - Strathaven - Lanarkshire
CLICK HERE to goto S.A.C.T. - Sheppey Against Council Tax - Sheppey - Kent
CLICK HERE to goto S.P.A.T. - Shropshire People Against Taxation - Shrewbury - Shropshire
CLICK HERE to goto S.T.A.G. - Surrey Tax Action Group - Godalming - Surrey
CLICK HERE to goto Too Much Tax - Harefield - Middlesex
CLICK HERE to goto W.A.C.T. - Worcester and Hereford Against Council Tax - Tenbury Wells - Worcestershire
CLICK HERE to goto W.A.D. - Winchester and District Action Group - Winchester - Hampshire
CLICK HERE to goto IsItFair - Central Campaign and Founder Site - Headley - Hampshire