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Council Tax Reduction Schemes

Asked by Helen MaguireLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 15 July 2025UIN 65499

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that people who migrate from income-related Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit are not affected by reductions in Council Tax Support.

Answered by Jim McMahon

Councils are required to provide a Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme to support low-income households. Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed LCTS scheme, which is reviewed annually.

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