Tory tax on vulnerable residents

Following plans set out in the Mayor’s budget, the council is now consulting local residents on introducing a charge of £234 a year for the previously free telecare service.

Telecare is a service that helps support people to live independently. Offering service users and their carers access to emergency help, should they need it, 24 hours a day, it is a vital service provided for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Cllr Dean Crofts, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Health, commented, “The Conservative administration is proposing charging for this vital service, to the tune of £234/year.  Residents who have been getting these letters from the council will be shocked at what is little more than yet another Tory tax. We have already seen the Mayor and his Executive raise Council tax by the maximum possible. Now they are trying to raise money from a captive audience which views the Telecare service as a literal lifeline. 

 ‘This administration is losing control of council finances fast. It is so upsetting to see them charge for this service which vulnerable users will have no choice but to pay. They are out of touch and out of ideas. The residents of this Borough deserve so much better.’