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Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

Cut backs to older people’s services
“It is a disgrace that older people are losing out when local authority services are cut back.  Older people should not have to fight to get the support they need and are entitled to. It is not just a question of pumping more money into services. There is an urgent need to reform the care system.”   

Increasing cost of council tax bills
“Council tax bills can be crippling for pensioners who have a low, fixed income. While Council Tax has almost doubled since 1997, the Basic State Pension has only increased by around a third. Older people worried about their bills should check if they are entitled to Council Tax Benefit – the most unclaimed benefit of all.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Up to 2.2 million older people miss out on up to £1.4 billion in unclaimed Council Tax Benefit each year. The benefit can cut bills by an average of £580 a year. Find out more about claiming your benefits.
  

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