Select Committee on Communities and Local Government Committee Written Evidence


Memorandum by Worcestershire County Council (CTB 18)

1.  THE CASE FOR REBRANDING COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT AS A "REBATE"

  This would be sensible as it may reduce the pride and self-reliance problems currently experienced by some people when claiming benefits.

2.  THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNMENT IN INCREASING COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT UPTAKE LEVELS

  The correct framework should be put in place by central government to ensure uptake is improved.

  Take up may be further improved if the information were linked to that currently collected by the Pensions Service and also information collected on non-pensioners such as the data for tax credit and working families tax credit.

3.  THE CASE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCESSING OF PENSION CREDITS CLAIMS TO ENABLE THE PENSIONS SERVICE TO ACT AS A PORTAL TO REBATES FOR ALL CALLERS, REGARDLESS OF PENSION CREDIT ELIGIBILITY, AND TO EXAMINE STEPS TO IMPROVE DATA SHARING

  This would be a sensible idea as pensioners would only have to give information once and should then automatically receive rebate if entitled. However, the same system should be in place for non-pensioners, WTC may be the portal to use for non-pensioners

4.  THE CASE FOR REFORM OF THE COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY INCLUDING THE CASE FOR CHANGING OR ABOLISHING THE SAVING LIMIT IN COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT FOR PENSIONERS, AND THE CASE FOR ALIGNING COUNCIL TAX REBATE THRESHOLDS WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE TAX SYSTEM

  Reform to CTB is needed and in order for this reform to take place it will be necessary to detach it from income-related benefits into a Council Tax rebate.

  Careful consideration should be given to how savings limits should be applied and whether it is age that is the determining factor or wealth. It may be difficult to justify changes to savings limits on age alone.

  In addition, thought should be given as to how additional costs of changing savings limit would be funded and whether the additional cost will fall on either the local or national taxpayer.





 
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