83% Wolverhampton council tax rise approved for consultation
Council tax bills at more than 12,000 households on benefits could soar after controversial plans were approved for consultation.
Families on benefits on a band A property would have to pay £220 a year – instead of £120 as it is now.
The 83 per cent rise has been defended by Wolverhampton City Council which says huge Government cuts have left it with little choice.
The local authority's cabinet approved the plans for consultation at a meeting last night.
It follows a Government shake-up of council tax benefits last year, which devolved the power to local authorities to decide how much support to offer.
Opposition leader Councillor Wendy Thompson accused the council of 'desperation' when the move was mooted earlier this week.
Until last year, the households affected would have paid nothing at all towards the cost of tax.
In April last year the council introduced a charge of 8.5 per cent, which was increased to 12 per cent earlier this year before last night's 23 per cent charge was put forward for consultation.
