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Tax cut for Glasgow veterans

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Published Date: 28 June 2008
HUNDREDS of elderly veterans are to have their council tax cut in recognition of their service, it was announced yesterday.
Pensioners in Glasgow who are former services personnel will pay less for local services in the move by the city council.

Bob Winter, the lord provost, made the announcement as ex-service personnel gathered in George Square to mark National Veterans' Day. About 500 people turned out for the day of music and entertainment.

The council plans to disregard all income from war pensions when calculating council tax and housing benefit.

Bosses said the move will put about £400,000 back into the pockets of around 500 families.







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  • Last Updated: 28 June 2008 12:40 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 28/06/2008 09:48:36
It would probably be far too costly for the Treasury to implemment but IF Gordon Brown had brought in similar discounts for war veterans (only) across the UK who knows the effect it could have on Labour's standing in the opinion polls?
2

Rabbies Wee Bruthir,

28/06/2008 12:06:37
Do they mean 'War Pensioners' or people in receipt of a 'Military Pension'? Two entirely different things.

War Pensions are given to those who sustained 'pensionable injury' due to 'service', whereas 'Military Pensions' are paid after serving a 'qualifying period'. e.g. after 22 years service an 'enlisted man' is entitled to an immediate pension and in the case of Officers it's after 15 years.

Anyone who has served more than two years is entitled to a 'deferred pension' which they must claim when they are 60 years of age, it is not paid 'automatically' although they are entitled to it.

I would be surprised if it covered all 'Military Pensioners'

This present Westminster government actually changed the law to take into account 'War Pension' when means testing other benefits, prior to this change 'War Pensions' were ignored for 'Social Security' purposes.
So basically another Labour attack on those least able to defend themselves.
But good show to those Lacour cooncillors in Glasgow that have 'seen the light' ;-)
3

afraser,

Glasgow 30/06/2008 23:52:47
This covers War Disablement Pension and War Widow's Pension (only).

Labour councillors seeing the light? Although not reported in the article, this was all due to a council motion and debate of the day before (Thursday 26th June) from SNP councillor Billy McAllister

Notice of Motion by Councillor Billy McAllister:
================================================

“Council acknowledges the vital role played by the armed forces and the hardships faced by veterans, especially injured and disabled veterans, upon their return.

Council notes that the large majority of local authorities across Britain now provide a full disregard of War Disablement Pension and War Widow’s Pension for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Council resolves to introduce a 100% disregard of War Disablement Pension and War Widow’s Pension for Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims made by Glasgow citizens.”

Councillor McAllister's speech to that motion was:
==================================================

"In the last few days five paratroopers have been killed in Afghanistan, bringing the total casualty list to 102 dead. Another 176 British troops have been killed in Iraq. Far more have been injured.

British military involvement in both of those conflicts is unfortunately likely to continue for years, perhaps decades.

Both of those wars have been launched by the Labour Government in Westminster. The Iraq war at least was opposed by the majority of the population, with millions taking to the streets in the biggest demonstrations since the 1926 General Strike. It was an illegal war.

Also, the administration of this Council encourages army recruitment teams to visit Glasgow schools as part of a recruitment drive for those two wars. I wonder if they tell the school kids that if you fight for your country and are a hero, don’t expect help from Glasgow City Council when you come back injured.

The SNP believes injured soldiers are heroes and should be treated as such. W
4

afraser,

Glasgow 01/07/2008 00:11:55
[contd-] "War widows do not deserve to have their pensions stolen back off them by the Housing Benefit policies of this administration.

Legislation allows local authorities the power to disregard income from War Disablement and War Widows pensions, if they choose to.

Why doesn’t Glasgow?

In England and Wales, only two out of the 410 local authorities fail to provide a full disregard.

In Scotland, only two out of 32 local authorities fail to provide a full disregard.

Glasgow stands almost alone, in treating its returning veterans so badly.

In earlier wars, returning veterans were promised “homes fit for heroes”.

Now the promise is “homes fit for heroes – as long as you’re not a Glaswegian”.

Our boys are being treated differently from the rest of the country.

When you think of the proud history of this city, we always fought for and protected our citizens. John Wheatley and Nye Bevan would turn in their graves if they knew this policy had been put in place by a Labour administration.

The Leader of the Council on the last two meetings has told us he now believes in socialist values. Yet here we have the opposite values pushing disabled war veterans and war widows into poverty.

I have constituents who have contacted me in relation to this. They are in severe financial difficulty because they receive no housing benefit or council tax benefit. That is because their War Disablement pensions are being deducted by our Housing Benefit Office. If they were not living under this Council they would receive full housing benefit.

I believe this is a shameful situation and would ask all of you to join with me in supporting this motion in its entirety."

 

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