Age Concern’s response to the publication of ‘Place-shaping: a shared vision for the future of local government’ by Sir Michael Lyons

21 March 2007

Gordon Lishman, Age Concern’s Director-General, said:

“Lyons’ recognition that the council tax burden on pensioners must be eased and that a fairer system is needed is very welcome. Many pensioners will be disappointed that radical council tax reform is not on the cards, at least in the short-term, but Lyons is absolutely right to recommend that Council Tax Benefit should be received automatically without having to claim. Despite steep hikes in council tax bills in recent years, Council Tax Benefit is still the most unclaimed benefit of all, with up to 2.2 million older people missing out on up to £1.4 billion each year.

“Lyons call for the savings limit to be increased1 is also good news for lower-income pensioners. But it will be interesting to see what impact the lower and higher bands have and whether, in practice, this makes for a fairer system.

“We agree with Lyons that the Government should give local authorities more flexibility to respond to local needs  -  so long as older people do not miss out on essential services in their communities.”