Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed Government action to help households bring down their monthly bills by spreading council tax payments over 12 months, rather than 10.
Whilst you can already pay over 12 months by direct debit in Basildon and Thurrock, this move will open up other payment methods to local residents.
The changes will lower average band D council tax instalments by an average of £24 per month for 10 months, particularly helping those on fixed incomes, like pensioners.
The new right to choose to pay in 12 monthly instalments comes into effect from April. Local taxpayers just need to contact their council (the local billing authority) to request the change. Households can continue to pay in 10 instalments over the year, if they wish - there is no obligation to change.
This latest move shows that Conservatives in Government are doing all they can to keep council tax bills down for people who work hard and want to get on in life.
It comes on top of central Government funding to freeze council tax for the third consecutive year, the introduction of local referendums to veto high council tax hikes and the scrapping of Labour’s expensive council tax revaluation.
Commenting Mr Metcalfe said: “Here in Basildon and Thurrock council tax more than doubled under Labour. Conservatives in Government have shown that they will do all they can to keep council tax bills down for families and pensioners. For the third year running the Government are offering to freeze council tax, which would benefit local people if taken up by both Basildon and Thurrock Council”
“Residents in Basildon and Thurrock have already saved £154 and £132 respectively on a Band D bill thanks to the Government’s Council Tax freeze. By making it possible for taxpayers to pay over 12 months rather than 10, households will be able to bring down their monthly outgoings and have more control over when they pay their bills. I urge any household who would benefit from this change to exercise their new right.”
