Took campaigns for an end to "maddening discrimination"

7.46.44pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Oct 2005

Took "we can end this maddening discrimination"

Ashford Lib Dems are launching a campaign to force the Government to pay the one-off £200 Council Tax refund to all pensioners and to stop discriminating against women aged 60-64.

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Chris Took said:

"The Government are insulting the 2545 women in Ashford aged 60 to 64. They are denying them the £200 Council Tax refund on the grounds that they have retired inappropriately early.

"This is ludicrous. If the Government has overwhelming evidence that women between 60 and 64 do not require the same level of help as other pensioners they should produce it. Otherwise, this appears to be nothing but discriminatory.

"We are launching a petition which we hope to deliver to the Prime Minister later this year. To sign our online poll please visit www.ashfordlibdems.org.uk

"My Liberal Democrat colleague at Westminster, David Laws MP, plans to take all written submissions to Tony Blair personally. Those wishing to e-mail me their contact details can do so using chris@ashfordlibedems.org.uk

"With your support we can end this maddening discrimination."