People in council tax bands A to D could be eligible for a council tax rebate of up to £150 through a government scheme. Those with a direct debit should receive it automatically; those who don’t will need to sign up through an online form.
Devon Osborne, Green Party activist in Tufnell Park, says: “When households are struggling with rising bills, it doesn’t make sense not to shout about a possible rebate. The deadlines for these things can come around fast so we wanted to make sure the information was being put through peoples doors.”
You have until September 2022 to fill out the form online at www.islington.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-energy-rebate/
Council Tax – An Unfair System
The cost of living crisis is hitting people in Islington and across the UK hard. Soaring energy bills and rising food prices have left families struggling. On top of this, since 2010 the Conservative government has cut funding for local authorities across the country, reducing the ability of councils to provide vital services including education, social care and support for the elderly. In Islington we have lost 50% of our central government funding, resulting in the council putting up local taxes by 2.99% in 2022/23.
Council tax is widely considered one of the most unfair systems of taxation in the UK. However, the Conservative Party refuses to fairly tax the highest earners in the country, instead instituting tax raises such as the National Insurance increase that hits the youngest and poorest the hardest. The Green Party believes that taxes should be fair, and supports an increase in tax on the top 1% richest rather than increasing the tax burden on families who are already struggling to survive. Though we welcome the £150 rebate, systemic change is needed to challenge economic injustice across the UK.