Rishi Sunak has today (3/2) announced £350 help as energy price cap rises.
Local Conservative Councillors say thousands of MK residents will be given rebates on their council tax bills worth hundreds of pounds to limit the impact of soaring energy prices on poorer households.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, announced today that 4 in 5 households will benefit from additional support as people in council tax bands A to D will receive a tax cut funded by the Conservative Government.
The news comes as millions of households nationally will see their energy bills rise to a typical £1,971 a year, prompting the announcement from the Chancellor.
Sky News reports that people will receive a £200 discount on their bills which will be paid back in £40 instalments over the next five years and plans also include a £150 council tax rebate in April to help with the cost of energy, this will will not need to be repaid.
The chancellor says this will be available to people on "middle incomes too" - all those on Bands A to D. This is 80% of households
This one-off payment will benefit around 80 per cent of all homes in England and is £1 billion more generous and more targeted towards lower-income families than a VAT cut on energy bills.
The local Conservatives say that they are 'committed to decreasing the tax burden on households'
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
"It is right that the Government is stepping in to ease the burden on people’s pockets and residents in MK will now benefit from a £150 council tax cut.”
Councillor Rob Middleton, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Resources, has responded saying: “The Conservative Government today announced a Council Tax rebate that is nothing short of an insult to the residents of MK. At a time when residents are seeing their energy bills skyrocket by 75%, are paying hundreds more every year on their weekly shop, and many are facing paying an extra £500 in National Insurance contributions, this Council Tax rebate is a paltry sticking plaster. Rather than attending parties in Downing Street, and wasting £4 billion of taxpayers money through COVID fraud, they should get a grip. Hard pressed residents need a real plan from the Prime Minister to tackle this Cost of Living crisis. This Council Tax rebate is an embarrassment. ”
