OK, that sounds reasonable. I'll let them know and, hopefully, they will be sensible about it and not try to reduce my benefit!

I AM BEING PAID at the single rate. Logically and morally speaking, I see no reason why having a partner with no access to public funds would reduce my benefits, but at the same time I have no reason to believe that the law is either logical or fair! I am still confused as to what I should do.

I am a 64-year-old man who is unemployed and receiving Pension Credit. I have a partner who is also unemployed but she is not entitled to receive benefits because she is a Romanian citizen and does not qualify. I understand that, normally, I should inform the DWP that I have a partner and that my Pension Credit would then be readjusted downwards, but as my partner has no income or savings and cannot receive benefits, and I am paying for both of us, I am reluctant to notify the DWP of my change of circumstances in case they unfairly penalise me by reducing my Pension Credit entitlement. What should i do? Surely the law is flexible enough to take accoun of exceptional cases such as my own!

I have been charged £122 for late payment of council tax. I did not forget to pay the sum owed: I simply could not afford it, as I am still paying arrears for previous years. The council have attempted to justify the above charge by saying it represents their administrative costs and they deny it is a penalty. Frankly, I think they're lying. I have now entered a Freedom of Information Request to make them reveal the mathematics whereby the sum was worked out, as they have so far dodged all efforts for me to make them do so. Does anyone know the legal position regarding such costs? Are they allowed to add additional charges over and above the real cost of administering late payments?