Tuesday 18 March 2014

Ross Longhurst jailed for protesting against attacks on the poor

Ross Longhurst aged 72 years and a longstanding campaigner has been jailed for 28 days for not paying his Council Tax Ross refused to pay in protest and wrote before his hearing: "For the fourth year running Nottingham City Council are imposing cuts on local services which target the most vulnerable sections of the community such as children and old people.  

This is part of the Coalition Government's war on the poor and the Labour-controlled council are slavishly implementing the cuts.” 

Cathy Meadows, Chair, Nottingham Stop the Bedroom Tax/Defend Council Tax Benefits Campaign gave our solidarity to Ross on Radio Nottingham and to any people who feel so angry at the injustice they are making a stand even not affected themselves.

Cathy made the point that many people are being forced to choose between food, fuel, council tax and rent because of cuts to benefits and cannot afford to pay council tax; that a year ago people whose income was so low that they were considered too poor to pay council tax are now being told to pay yet their income is still low; and from this April, the minimum amount the [massive majority Labour] Nottingham City Council is charging will be 20% of council tax. Cathy made the point that the council should stop harassing people and stop stop sending bailiffs stop threatening people with eviction.

The campaign is clear: The council should not pursue people for council tax or rent arrears if benefit has been cut or if people are now being asked to pay council tax / increased council tax because of the austerity measure
As Cathy made clear; in the short term the council should use its reserves to cover the costs.  The council should be working with the community and trade unions to demand the necessary money from the government



Nottingham Stop the Bedroom Tax/Defend Council Tax Benefits Campaign gives advice to people on a case by case basis to help support them when they receive letters from the council or social landlord including court letters.


On the same day the thisisnottingham website reported that a business man was spared prison after £4m of fake goods were found.  Nottingham Magistrates’ Court sentenced the man to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

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