Lib Dem Pays Fair as Opposition to Unjust Post Office Charge Continues

With residents receiving their new council tax bills for the year this month, Lib Dems on Bedford Borough Council are continuing to highlight the unfairness of the additional charge that is forced upon those who pay their bill at the post office. Lib Dem Borough Councillor Paul Whitehead, who spoke out against the Post Office charges when they were examined by the council's Corporate & Resource committee in December, has now taken action by cancelling his own direct debit to the council and paying by a "Help the Aged" credit card instead.

Commenting, Cllr Whitehead said:

"I want to highlight the absurdity of the council's policy, which means that some of the most vulnerable in our society, including pensioners, those with mobility issues and those without access to full banking facilities, are now charged for simply paying their council tax at Post Offices. At the same time, the better-off who have access to full banking facilities can choose to pay their bills by credit card at no extra cost, potentially earning themselves loyalty points, air miles or other perks at the council's expense.

"By choosing to pay with a charity credit card I can raise funds for a charity that helps some of the most vulnerable in our society. While the council charges pensioners for paying at Post Offices, Help the Aged will now earn money every time I use my credit card to pay council tax. I would urge other Borough residents who feel strongly about this injustice to pay their council tax by charity credit card as well."

Borough residents who pay their council tax bill at the post office pay a charge of £2.20 for each payment, even though each payment cost the council just 80 pence before residents were asked to pay the charge. Meanwhile, each payment made by credit card for a Band D property, for example, costs the council £2.35, but residents don't have to contribute to this.

The Liberal Democrats were the only party to oppose this unfair charge before its introduction in April 2006. They have maintained their opposition to the charge and its implications for local residents and local post offices, which already face the threat of the government's planned closure of 2,500 branches.