THIS year's increase in Redbridge's council tax has prompted an angry response from pensioners in the borough.

The proposed 8.1 per cent increase which is due to come into operation in April means that council tax will have risen by almost a quarter in the last two years.

Although more than 50 per cent of pensioners are entitled to a council tax rebate, many pensioners remain unaware of their eligibility.

Redbridge Age Concern organiser Bert Hamilton said: "It's rather a steep increase, especially for pensioners, although I appreciate that the council is trying to build up its reserves.

"It's going to be quite a struggle for a lot of older people because although you hear a lot about index-linked pensions, many people who are pensioners these days are only able to supplement their standard Government pensions by what they have saved themselves, and there are very low interest rates."

Council leader Allan Burgess has promised that information on pensioners' entitlements will go out with every bill but Redbridge Pensioners Action Association organiser Gus Krayer has written to him asking him to think again about the rise.

He said: "The hardest hit are those in greatest need. It was agreed at our last meeting that I would write a letter exposing the damaging effects this would have on the lives of older people as well as other low income groups.

"The Greater London Authority is blamed for a 12 per cent rise in its precept but that is a charge for which people in the borough have seen some benefit. The Conservative-led borough still receives one of the highest grant settlements in London."

Earlier this month hundreds of pensioners gathered in Trafalgar Square to protest at council tax rises, arguing that they should not increase beyond the inflation level rise in their pensions.

Council leader Allan Burgess said: "It rather puts me out when I find that the amount of money the Government gives pensioners does not match the expectations of local authorities.

"We find that we have to put up a rate greater than inflation and we're not happy about that, but we do have to run a service for the borough."