Laura Sharman 11 October 2021

Councils calls for extension of council tax support funding

Councils calls for extension of council tax support funding image

The Government has been urged to fund local council tax support schemes for the next three years to support families on low income.

The Local Government Association (LGA) warned more than 2.5 million working age people across England claimed a discount on their council tax between April and June this year. This is the highest number since records began in 2015.

The LGA said an extension to the grant would enable councils to provide discounts to households struggling to pay their council tax bills because of the pandemic.

It warned that without the one-off funding, councils would be forced to choose between charging council tax to the working-age poor or diverting funding from under pressure services.

'No council wants to ask those on the lowest incomes to pay more,' said Cllr Shaun Davies, chair of the LGA’s Resources Board. 'Faced with severe funding and demand pressures that continue to stretch local services to the limit, many councils will have little choice but to reduce discounts without an extension to this government grant beyond this year.

'The Spending Review needs to provide councils with the full amount of funding required to provide council tax support to those who need it over the next few years to avoid bills being forced up for those who can least afford to pay.'

The LGA is also calling for the Spending Review to provide at least £250m each year for wider local welfare provision.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner