Warning to others about changing to Portsmouth council tax

Mike Doherty, from Fratton in Portsmouth, said he received his council tax bill from Portsmouth City Council stating he had to pay £15 a month.

The 47-year-old, who is in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), has never had to pay before and said the first time he realised he would have to is when he received his bill last week.

Mr Doherty said: ‘I am on basic ESA so paying £15 a month is going to have a big effect on me.

‘I had no prior warning; it is lucky I actually read my bill properly so knew I’d have to pay.

‘Some people might ignore their letters or not understand it so I want to make others aware of the changes.’

A spokesman from Portsmouth City Council said letters were sent out in December notifying residents of the changes.

He said the decision to make changes was also reported on the council’s website.