Hilary Benn MP, Shadow Local Government Secretary, commenting on the Zacchaeus 2K report “A new poll tax?” that looks at the impact of the localisation of council tax benefit, said:

“This Poll Tax Mark II, as it was dubbed by Lord Jenkin - the architect of the original Poll Tax - is causing misery in London and throughout the country.

“Despite claiming to be freezing council tax, the government is balancing the books on the backs of the poorest.

“It is time David Cameron and Eric Pickles took responsibility for the problems they have caused by deciding to cut support given to councils.

“They should now order a full review into the impact of these changes, before coming to Parliament with a plan to put things right.”

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