There is an easy way for Labour councils to give the poor a break

Seumas Milne states that Labour has emerged as an unambiguously anti-austerity party (Opinion, 1 October). The depth of that commitment can be demonstrated in action long before the 2020 election. Several hundred Labour councils in England and Wales can stop forcing their poorest residents to pay the council tax. The national benefit system is providing incomes, with frozen increases, well below the level needed for healthy living in work and unemployment. National government is creating unmanageable rent arrears with cuts in housing benefit in a chaotic housing market. Sanctions stop income and make the payment of debts, fines, rent and council tax arrears, court costs and fees impossible. Local government mercilessly takes millions of their poorest residents to court for the council tax, adding costs and bailiffs fees.
Rev Paul Nicolson
Taxpayers Against Poverty