Mark Lancaster praises Government’s council tax changes
Mark Lancaster
THE city’s Tory MP has welcomed Government moves to help households bring down their monthly bills by spreading council tax payments over 12 months, rather than ten.
Milton Keynes North MP Mark Lancaster said the changes will lower average band D council tax instalments by an average of £24 per month for 10 months, particularly helping those on fixed incomes, like pensioners.
The new right to choose to pay in 12 monthly instalments comes into effect from April. Taxpayers just need to contact Milton Keynes Council to request the change.
Households can continue to pay in ten instalments over the year, if they wish – there is no obligation to change.
Mr Lancaster said the move shows that Conservatives in Government are doing all they can to keep council tax bills down for people who work hard and want to get on in life.
It comes on top of central Government funding to freeze council tax for the third consecutive year, the introduction of local referendums to veto high council tax hikes and the scrapping of Labour’s expensive council tax revaluation.
Mr Lancaster said: “Here in Milton Keynes, council tax more than doubled under Labour. Conservatives in Government have shown that they will do all they can to keep council tax bills down for families and pensioners.
“Residents in Milton Keynes have already saved £139 on a Band D bill thanks to Conservatives in Government freezing council tax.
“By making it possible for taxpayers to pay over 12 months rather than ten, households will be able to bring down their monthly outgoings and have more control over when they pay their bills.
“I urge any household who would benefit from this change to exercise their new right.”
> What do you think? Will these changes help you manage your money more efficiently or should the Government be doing more to help people during the economic downturn?
Post your comments below.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Saturday 18 May 2013
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