A COUNCILLOR accused opposition members of taking cash from the poor following a controversial decision to raise the minimum contribution for council tax support by 40 per cent.

Cash-strapped Reading Borough Council is set to up the amount support claimants have to pay towards their council tax.

People on low income used to have to pay a contribution of 25 per cent but it will increase to 35 per cent from April this year.

And councillor Ricky Duveen, member of the Liberal Democrat party, slammed the decision.

He told the council's policy committee meeting: "I can understand why the council has to make cuts to its projected budget but what I cannot understand is why they are making it at the expense of the poorest people in the town, making them pay more for their council tax.

"This will undoubtedly harm the most needy people in Reading and that is just not acceptable.

"It is certainly strange coming from a Labour administration which likes to talk about social justice."

The authority will also drop the capital limit for residents to receive support, meaning anyone with savings of £3,000 or more will not be eligible, compared to £6,000 previously.

Cllr John Ennis, lead member for housing, added: "This is one of the saddest aspects of how we have to balance our budget.

"I want to point out to Cllr Duveen that in 2013/14 the government abolished the council tax benefit, local authorities were required to introduce local schemes, overall funding was cut by 10 per cent and there was no money coming from the government.

"The Liberals were in government then, so it's a real shame you weren't more vocal in your opposition to it when your own party were in government.

"Your opposition was needed earlier rather than now."