OPPOSITION councillors have hit out at “despicable” plans to charge some the poorest people in the Tendring district more on their council tax bills.

Tendring Council has been forced to drop is “residency clause” policy, which meant no-one could receive council tax benefit unless they had lived in the district for five years.

It was intended to cut down on what has been dubbed “benefit tourism”, but was labelled by critics as a “modern-day Poor Law”.

The policy has been axed after a similar scheme run by Sandwell Council, in the West Midlands, was found to be illegal in the High Court.

Working-age benefit claimants on low incomes in Tendring will instead be asked to pay 20 per cent of their council tax bill, rather than the current 15 per cent. It could mean an extra £65 a year for some households.

Ivan Henderson, leader of the council’s opposition Labour group, said it was “despicable” to cut support for the poorest people.

He said: “This is at a time when cabinet members are urging people to support foodbanks because people can’t afford to eat.”

But Paul Honeywood, council cabinet member for housing and benefits, defended the council’s decision.

He said: “Without this clause in place we have had to go to 20 per cent to balance the books.”

The cabinet’s recommendation will now go before the full council for a decision on November 25.