William Eichler 04 November 2024

LGA: Care leavers should get council tax exemption

LGA: Care leavers should get council tax exemption image
Image: ShaunWilkinson / Shutterstock.com.

Care leavers should be exempt from paying council tax to help give them financial stability when they leave care, local authority leaders have said.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said a council tax exemption for those leaving care is ‘one of the most direct and effective ways’ of helping care leavers avoid financial difficulty.

An estimated 83% of young people leaving care struggle to afford essentials, according to a survey by the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum cited by the LGA.

Many local authorities have council tax exemptions or reductions in place for care leavers, but the decision is taken by individual authorities rather than central government.

As part of the National Care Leavers Week, the LGA has called for a Government-funded exemption covering all local authority areas which it argues would stop the ‘postcode lottery’.

Chair of the LGA, Cllr Louise Gittins, urged the Government to consider a ‘more consistent offer for care leavers across the country’.

‘Providing a nationally-government funded exemption for council tax, prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and optician costs will ensure no care leaver goes without access to services they rely on to stay healthy and well.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Employment Vetting Officer

Essex County Council
£26090.00 - £30693.00 per annum
Employment Vetting OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£26,090 to £30,693 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker Level 2

Royal Borough of Greenwich
PO3 - £45,750 to £49,056
We are pleased to inform you that an opportunity for a Level 2 Social Worker has become available Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner