Pensioners' £200 rebate removed

LIBERAL Democrats in Gateshead have reacted strongly to a decision of the government to scrap the £200 council tax rebate for pensioners.

The rebate was brought in during the run up to the general election last year. But in the budget in March, Chancellor Gordon Brown has scrapped it for future years.

"Clearly the rebate was an election bribe all along," said Councillor Robin Stanaway from Pelaw and Heworth ward.

"The council tax is the most unfair and most unpopular tax in the country. It is a far bigger burden on pensioners and those on low and middle incomes than it is for the rich. "Liberal Democrats will replace council tax with a fairer system based on ability to pay."