Military Council Tax Rebate
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Military Council Tax Rebate
Military to get cheaper council tax
Press Association - Monday January 28, 2008 7:08 AM
British armed forces personnel serving overseas are to have their council tax bills cut by a quarter, it has been reported. The move is expected to apply to all ranks and could see up to 13,000 troops better off by £140 a year or more.
The Sun reports that the benefit, that currently applies only to Army, Navy and RAF personnel serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, will now be extended to include those in Bosnia, Kuwait, Oman, the Falkland Islands and other postings. An official announcement by the Ministry of Defence is expected on Monday.
Defence Secretary Des Browne told the Sun: "I am delighted to announce the extension of the council tax rebate to all our personnel deployed overseas. I cannot commend enough the effort and commitment of our forces abroad and away from their families. This rebate is another example of our commitment to provide the best welfare support for them."
The scheme will start from April with reduced payments backdated to February.
The newspaper says the £140 saving is based on a Band A property and a serviceman being away on a six-month tour of duty. The cut will be much bigger for those living in larger homes.
Other areas covered by the rebate are understood to be Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Kosovo and Qatar. Royal Navy personnel on ships away from Britain will also qualify.
Press Association - Monday January 28, 2008 7:08 AM
British armed forces personnel serving overseas are to have their council tax bills cut by a quarter, it has been reported. The move is expected to apply to all ranks and could see up to 13,000 troops better off by £140 a year or more.
The Sun reports that the benefit, that currently applies only to Army, Navy and RAF personnel serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, will now be extended to include those in Bosnia, Kuwait, Oman, the Falkland Islands and other postings. An official announcement by the Ministry of Defence is expected on Monday.
Defence Secretary Des Browne told the Sun: "I am delighted to announce the extension of the council tax rebate to all our personnel deployed overseas. I cannot commend enough the effort and commitment of our forces abroad and away from their families. This rebate is another example of our commitment to provide the best welfare support for them."
The scheme will start from April with reduced payments backdated to February.
The newspaper says the £140 saving is based on a Band A property and a serviceman being away on a six-month tour of duty. The cut will be much bigger for those living in larger homes.
Other areas covered by the rebate are understood to be Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Kosovo and Qatar. Royal Navy personnel on ships away from Britain will also qualify.
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Cheap headlines hyped up with typical spin if you ask me. How much differance is £140pa for some going to make to morale. This of course is only designed to dilute the statement regarding Armed Forces morale being low which itself made the top story on Teletext but not a mention on TV news.
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A. With councils taking council tax is 10 equal payments, the last being in January I see wriggle room here. "Yes Sir, we discounted all the tax for you."
Or
B. Council Tax £1400 ~ payment was £140 per month or notionally £116.67 per month. Rebate for Feb/Mar £58.33. Mmm.
Will it be A or will it be B?
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Military to get cheaper council tax
Press Association - Monday January 28, 2008 7:08 AM
British armed forces personnel serving overseas are to have their council tax bills cut by a quarter, it has been reported. The move is expected to apply to all ranks and could see up to 13,000 troops better off by £140 a year or more.
Press Association - Monday January 28, 2008 7:08 AM
British armed forces personnel serving overseas are to have their council tax bills cut by a quarter, it has been reported. The move is expected to apply to all ranks and could see up to 13,000 troops better off by £140 a year or more.
Bah Humbug!
HAve to agree with other posters. HArrdly worth the effort. My Council tax is about £140 pcm - what would be more effective is the 50% rebate for absence from residence - wouldn't cost the MOD a bean!
Apparently, this is only for personnel in MQ's. Those in you own houses whistle I'm afraid.....or do they?
You can appeal to your council and see what they say. First and foremost, before you do, see if there has been a precedent set by another council first, and quote it to yours. If one council has allowed it (and I'm sure some have, you just need to find out which ones) with a bit of pressure, you never know. I'd much prefer £140 in my pocket than someones else's.
You can appeal to your council and see what they say. First and foremost, before you do, see if there has been a precedent set by another council first, and quote it to yours. If one council has allowed it (and I'm sure some have, you just need to find out which ones) with a bit of pressure, you never know. I'd much prefer £140 in my pocket than someones else's.
Has it not occurred to anyone that this might be announced now partly to soften the blow/defuse a 1.9% pay rise in a few weeks time......
'........Of course this government fully recognises the role played by the Armed Services, have we not introduced the operational allowance (whatever it is called) and refunded council tax to provide financial reward for our deployed forces...etc,...etc, spin......, spin......etc!!
Just because you are paranoid it does not mean they are not out to get you!!
'........Of course this government fully recognises the role played by the Armed Services, have we not introduced the operational allowance (whatever it is called) and refunded council tax to provide financial reward for our deployed forces...etc,...etc, spin......, spin......etc!!
Just because you are paranoid it does not mean they are not out to get you!!
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Ok maybe im being synical here, does this only apply for a continuous 6 month tour away from home, and if so does it mean that if you return home for 2 weeks r&r does this split your continuous deployment. As most of the Air force tours are 4 months will it actually benefit that many people?? As i said i may be just being a bit synical and will stand corrected.
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What a fudge - compare the CTax "massage" with the reality. as eloquently put by a forces contributor to the BBC's "have your say" ...
"In my unit most deploy for 4 months on and 4 off. I haven't been paid for 3 months thanks to the new IT system. My boss, who should be doing better things, has had to go to court to stop the baliffs for me. My last deployment I got my body armour protection plates 2 weeks before I came back. My specialist vehicle never got repaired so I had to borrow an unarmoured one. My government sent me, I did not ask. I love the job and my now divorced wife. I resigned today! enough is enough.
Chris, Colchester"
Sorry for quoting you, Chris, but your message deserved a wider readership. Army? - yes, but we're all in this together.
My point is that getting us worked up about CTax is a "divide and rule" ploy typical of the spinmeisters. Let's concentrate on the wood, rather than one of the trees!
"In my unit most deploy for 4 months on and 4 off. I haven't been paid for 3 months thanks to the new IT system. My boss, who should be doing better things, has had to go to court to stop the baliffs for me. My last deployment I got my body armour protection plates 2 weeks before I came back. My specialist vehicle never got repaired so I had to borrow an unarmoured one. My government sent me, I did not ask. I love the job and my now divorced wife. I resigned today! enough is enough.
Chris, Colchester"
Sorry for quoting you, Chris, but your message deserved a wider readership. Army? - yes, but we're all in this together.
My point is that getting us worked up about CTax is a "divide and rule" ploy typical of the spinmeisters. Let's concentrate on the wood, rather than one of the trees!
Last edited by Vintage_SEngO; 29th Jan 2008 at 09:25. Reason: wrong thread!
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As pba_target said....deja vue
etc...etc...
Does sounds like you are being softened up for some bad news with this re-announcement.
Daily Mail
MOD to give troops £140 council tax rebate
By BENEDICT BROGAN
Last updated at 00:18am on 25th September 2007
MOD to give troops £140 council tax rebate
By BENEDICT BROGAN
Last updated at 00:18am on 25th September 2007
Does sounds like you are being softened up for some bad news with this re-announcement.
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Do Some Time!
I did 8 months in the desert in 2003. Mrs GF asked the local council if we were entitled to a rebate and the response was "you will only get a rebate if your husband has been in prison!". This didn't surprise me too much as one of the Sqn Sgt's had left on redundancy the year before and was told, by the local council where he wanted to live in his native NE, that after 27 years in the RAF he was not a priority on the Council Housing list. That privilege was reserved for those released from prison!
