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Still too poor to pay: three years of localised council tax support in London

01 September 2016

Read the latest report from CPAG and Z2K in a series that examines how London council tax support schemes have changed in the last three years and analyses the impact these changes have had on claimants.

Press release

London sees 51% surge in use of bailiffs for council tax debts

01 September 2016

Over 19,000 low income, sick and disabled Londoners were referred to bailiffs in 2015/16, a 51% increase on the previous year. 26 of 33 London boroughs charge council tax to households previously deemed too poor to pay (up from 24 in 2015/16). Eight London boroughs hiked minimum charges for 2016/17 (up from 7 in 2015/16).

Benefit levels Child poverty in London Costs and spending Council tax reduction Press release Welfare reform London

Press release

London’s poorest hit by cuts to council tax support

30 July 2015

Two years on from the abolition of national council tax benefit, tens of thousands of low-income Londoners are still reeling in the face of local payment demands, a report from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Z2K reveals. Too poor to pay tracks the impact of the second year (2014-15) of localised council tax support schemes which replaced national council tax benefit in April 2013.

Benefit levels Child poverty in London Costs and spending Council tax reduction Localisation Press release Welfare reform London

News

Too poor to pay

29 July 2015

Since localisation of council tax support, over 123,000 Londoners have fallen into arrears on a bill they were previous deemed too poor to pay.

Benefit levels Child poverty in London Costs and spending Council tax reduction Localisation News Welfare reform London

Press release

A new poll tax? London's poorest and councils hit hard by Council Tax changes

17 July 2014

London’s poorest families are struggling to pay council tax bills from their limited benefit income following cuts to council tax support, according to new figures published in a joint report by two leading London anti-poverty charities, the Child Poverty Action Group and Z2K.

Benefit levels Child poverty in London Costs and spending Council tax reduction Localisation Press release Welfare reform London

Blog

A new poll tax?

16 July 2014

If I lost my job tomorrow, one of the things that I would expect would be that while I was not earning, I would not be paying tax. However, in 26 out of 33 London boroughs this is not the case: I would still need to pay council tax.

Blog Child poverty in London Costs and spending Council tax reduction Localisation Welfare reform London

Press release

New research shows councils in London fear housing crisis fuelled by welfare reform

11 June 2014

Cuts to benefits have left families in London struggling and unsure how they will afford to stay living in their area, according to a new CPAG report released today. Based on interviews with councils, advice services and parents as well a review of existing evidence, the report highlights that these key groups share the same fear: a housing crisis uprooting families from their homes and communities, with children’s education facing huge disruption by these forced moves.

Benefit cap Child poverty in London Child poverty statistics Costs and spending Council tax reduction Discretionary housing payments Education Ending child poverty Housing Housing benefit Life chances Localisation Press release Welfare reform London

Blog

Families on the brink: welfare reform in London

11 June 2014

London’s housing crisis is well publicised and well discussed. We're used to reading about extortionate rents being charged for box properties or a generation that is likely to be priced out of buying.