Tories pledge tax rebate for Welsh OAPs

Last updated at 11:02 29 April 2005


A Conservative government at Westminster would provide the cash for a council tax rebate for Welsh pensioners, party leader Michael Howard said today.

The Tories are promising a rebate of up to £500 for the over-65s if they win the election, but in Wales the issue would be decided by the Labour-run Welsh Assembly.

Labour has criticised some Tory candidates in Wales for mentioning the pledge on their campaign literature.

At a press conference in Cardiff today, Mr Howard said the money would be provided to the Assembly, and if First Minister Rhodri Morgan decided not to implement the policy, it would be up to him to explain why.

Mr Howard said: "There is every reason why the people of Wales should get the free council tax rebate we are promising. Rhodri Morgan will have the money. If he does no give that, he has a lot of explaining to do."

Asked by reporters why the Tories are offering a referendum on the future of the Welsh Assembly but no vote on the Scottish parliament, Mr Howard said: "The (1997 referendum) votes were very different. There was a substantial majority in Scotland but the narrowest possible majority in Wales. There is a body of opinion in Wales that is against the Assembly."

A Labour spokesman said: "The Tories are now completely confused about what they would do in Wales. On the one hand, they offer a vote on whether the Assembly should continue; on the other, they say the Assembly will get money to carry out Tory policies.

"Their leader promises money for Wales to offer council tax discounts - but the pledge is left

out of their manifesto."

The Tories' policies "don't add up", he said.