Latest news with #ReformReform
Glasgow Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Do you have to pay council tax if you receive DWP benefits?
Although you can sometimes get a discount automatically on your council tax bill, this is not always the case. If you're unsure whether you're already getting a discount, check your bill or contact the council. You might still be entitled to one if you're not getting a discount. It depends on who lives in the property. If you live in a Labour-run council, your council tax is on average £300 lower. Meanwhile, the Tories are so desperate to out Reform Reform, they've become indistinguishable. Today's Business Questions 👇 — Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) May 1, 2025 Check if you can apply for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) If you're on a low income you might be able to get your council tax reduced. If you get benefits or have other people living with you, this might affect how much your council tax is reduced. Your local council will ask you for details about your income and your circumstances, so they can work out if you're entitled to Council Tax Reduction (CTR). They will then work out your new bill and tell you how much council tax you need to pay. If you have other people living with you who are aged 18 or over, you might all be responsible for paying council tax. Only one of you needs to apply for CTR. You won't normally get an actual payment if you're awarded CTR. The council will reduce the amount of council tax you have to pay. Recommended reading: Check if you can get a single-person discount If you're the only adult in your home, you'll get a 25% discount on your council tax bill. When working out how many people live in a property, some people aren't counted - they're called 'disregarded people'. If everyone who lives in the property is disregarded, there's still a council tax bill, but it will have a 50% discount. If everyone in your home is a student or severely mentally impaired, you won't pay any council tax. Tell the council if you're entitled to a discount because someone has moved out. You're entitled to the discount from when the person moved out, even if you told the council later. Others might also be disregarded - for example, some live-in care workers. Your local council will tell you if they're disregarded when you apply. If you live with an adult who isn't disregarded You might get another discount called a 'second adult rebate'. The person you live with must be on a low income or getting certain benefits. If you have another home Your local council might give you a discount if you have another home you don't live in - for example, if it's not safe to live in or it's connected to your main home.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Labour and Tories Under Pressure as Reform Gains Ground in Local Elections
Local election results and a dramatic by-election defeat for Labour in Runcorn and Helsby have intensified scrutiny of the government's policies and raised fresh doubts about the Tories' ability to counter the growing threat from Reform UK. The Runcorn and Helsby seat, previously a The by-election ran alongside local elections across England in which Reform made further gains, including winning its first regional mayoralty. In Greater Lincolnshire, former Conservative MP Dame While Labour Labour held on to West of England mayor, albeit on an even lower share of the vote than at North Tyneside or Doncaster. Labour MPs Voice Alarm As results poured in on Friday, Labour figures reacted with concern, pointing to internal dissatisfaction and warning of political risks if the party fails to deliver on promises of change. Related Stories 4/30/2025 2/3/2025 Labour MP Richard Burgon In its 10 months in government, Labour has turned the winter fuel allowance into a means-tested benefit, announced an increase in employers' national insurance (NI) contributions, and unveiled sweeping welfare cuts. 'By pushing policies like cuts to disability benefits and scrapping the winter fuel allowance, the leadership is driving away our own voters—and letting Reform squeeze through,' said Burgon. Following her reelection, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones urged Labour to 'listen to the people and businesses on the street,' warning that policies like the winter fuel allowance cut and NI rise were causing concern. She said she had used local funds to protect vulnerable residents and criticised the impact of welfare changes on small businesses and disabled people. Labour MP Kim Johnson described the Runcorn outcome as a warning Labour can't ignore. 'Voters want change—and if we don't offer it with bold, hopeful policies that rebuild trust, the far right will. If we don't step up now, the alternative won't be more of the same - it'll be an extreme right-wing government,' she Brian Leishman, Scottish Labour MP, also challenged government policies, adding they 'People voted for real change last July and an end to austerity. The first 10 months haven't been good enough or what the people want and if we don't improve people's living standards then the next government will be an extreme right-wing one,' he said. Commenting on the election results on Friday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the by-election outcome was 'disappointing' but vowed to bring on the 'change that people want to see.' He defended government policies, saying they were 'tough but right decisions.' 'Because of those decisions we are now seeing waiting lists coming down, something people desperately want. Because of that pensioners are now £470 up as of last month, these are really important changes,' Starmer said. Tories Losing Ground to Reform Reform's success comes largely at the expense of the Conservatives, with both by-election and mayoral wins going to candidates formerly affiliated with the Tory party. Conservative Party co-chairman Nigel Huddleston admitted the party is still rebuilding after its general election defeat. He said it was 'a marathon, not a sprint' for the party amid losses in the local election results. 'Reform now are offering everything to everybody. They are a protest party that is trying to be all things to all men. It's extremely popular, and it's extremely populist,' Huddleston added. However, for Reform, the election wins could mean it is more than a protest movement and could be a party of government. Leader Nigel Farage said Reform is the real opposition to Labour. 'With this and other results tonight, it's clear that if you vote Conservative you will get Labour. But if you vote Reform, you get Reform,' he Posting on social media platform X on Friday, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch Two-Party System Is 'Dead' Farage also added that the mayoral win in Greater Linconshire proves that the traditional two-party system It comes as political analysts argue that local elections underscore a deepening shift in UK politics. Professor Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University described it as an age of 'five-party politics,' adding that the erosion of Labour and Conservative dominance was already evident in the last general election. Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said the Runcorn and Helsby result reflected growing frustration with He urged the government to stop 'pandering to Reform' and instead focus on taxing wealth to fund public services and social housing. Reform Eyes Expansion in Wales and Scotland Looking ahead, Reform is targeting further growth, particularly in the devolved nations. In Wales, Reform gained a seat on Bridgend County Borough Council after Owain Clatworthy narrowly defeated Labour by 30 votes in a by-election triggered by the resignation of Councillor Mike Kearn. While Labour retains control of the council, the result increases Reform's presence in Welsh local government to eight councillors. 'Labour have had their chance and they've failed Wales. Plaid Cymru props them up, and the Tories are no better. It's time for real change. It's time for Reform UK,' With a year to go before the next elections in Wales and Scotland, Reform's performance in Runcorn may signal a new chapter in British politics. PA Media contributed to this report.
