Every pensioner household in Wales will receive a 30 per cent reduction in their council tax bills under proposals unveiled by the Welsh Conservatives.
Speaking at the party's annual conference, Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Millar AM announced plansto offset the impact of rising bills for older people on fixed incomes under a Conservative-led Assembly Government.
At the 2007 Assembly elections Welsh Conservatives had proposed a £100 a year council tax discount for every pensioner household in Wales. The announcement comes after confirmation of average Band D council tax increases in Wales of 4.1 per cent for the next year. Just two local authorities - Newport and Pembrokeshire - now charge Band D council tax under £1,000.
Wales average council tax bills have more than doubled since Labour came to power in 1997 with households now paying £590 more a year for local services
Darren Millar AM said: "Under Labour households are paying twice as much for council tax but are getting less of a say in how their council is run. And in this economic climate, these hikes will hit pockets hard. Every penny and every pound counts right now - rises in council tax are irresponsible and unacceptable."
And he added, "Under a Welsh Conservative Assembly Government, every pensioner household in Wales would qualify for a 30% reduction in their council tax bills this year, next year and every year. This will provide real help for those who deserve our support."