25 September 2009

Murphy in campaign to stop Armed Forces families from unfair council tax penalties

Paul Murphy is one of seven MPs to sign up to a campaign to stop Armed Forces families in Wales having to pay more Council Tax than their English and Scottish counterparts.

In England and Scotland, Service families get a 50% discount on the Council Tax on their family homes. But in Wales, the scheme does not apply, leaving many families worse off.

The MPs have written to Welsh Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons urging him to introduce council tax reductions to ensure that service families in Wales do not pay twice for council tax.

Torfaen MP Paul Murphy was shocked to learn of the situation: “This is hugely unfair to those who serve our country with remarkable courage and sacrifice.

“Whereas Scotland and England employ an automatic 50% reduction on family homes, service families in Wales are currently charged twice, in full, for council tax charges on their armed forces accommodation and their family homes in Wales.

“This is a wholly unacceptable on service families and something that should be resolved.”

The letter concludes by stating: “We believe Welsh Armed Services families are therefore being unfairly treated and call on the Welsh Assembly Government to implement the automatic 50 per cent reduction on second homes for forces families.”

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