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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