Labour Leader Welcomes Council Tax intervention

Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Kevin Madge, has welcomed a decision by the Welsh Labour Government to protect Wales from one of the most harsh cuts the Con-Dem Government has imposed.

The Tory-led UK Government has introduced a 10% cut in the amount of funding for Council Tax support – responsibility of which has now been given to the Welsh Government. This cut could have resulted in shock council tax bills for some of the most vulnerable people across Carmarthenshire and Wales.

Announcing details of an extra £22 million in funding going to local authorities to help with bills in 2013-14, the Minister for local government Carl Sergeant AM said that the additional cash would ensure that those people eligible for council tax support in Wales would continue to receive their full entitlement.

Councillor Madge welcomed the Ministers decision to shield Welsh communities, like Carmarthenshire from the cut:

“ I’m very pleased that yet again, a Labour Government has protected us from the worst cuts imposed by the Tory led UK government. I raised the problem in meetings I’ve had with Carl Sergeant, and the Minister has proved that Labour are in touch with the needs of the most vulnerable in places like Carmarthenshire”.

He continued

“People in Carmarthenshire can now be sure that if they receive Council tax benefit, they won’t be faced with a bill from Cameron and Clegg this spring”

In a statement on Wednesday night, the Labour minister outlined how the Government would pay for the scheme. The Welsh Labour Government has kept its response to the council tax benefit changes under review. Careful financial management and prudent use of reserves and departmental budgets has meant that it has been able to provide additional resources and return the council tax support budget to the level it was before the Tory-led UK Government made its cuts.