COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT WILL HELP 16,680 OF WEST LOTHIAN’S MOST VULNERABLE
Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government and COSLA will protect the 16,680 West Lothian residents who claim council tax benefit from having their allowances cut.
In April 2013 the UK Government will abolish the existing Council Tax Benefit and cut the successor budget by 10 per cent. The Scottish Government and COSLA have agreed to cover the cost of the cuts which would have had a serious impact on 16,680 vulnerable West Lothian residents.
Fiona commented;
“In West Lothian we have one of the fastest growing populations in Scotland, with 16,680 – around a 10th of our residents – having to claim council tax benefit.
“This decisive action will continue to give those on low or no income the support they really need in paying their council tax.
“I am delighted that COSLA and the Scottish Government have not allowed the many pensioners, carers and disabled people of West Lothian to be a victim of this benefit cut and are instead protecting the needs of West Lothian’s ever-growing vulnerable population.”