Council Tax Reduction Schemes
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the fairness of income‑banded Council Tax Reduction schemes where a small increase in Universal Credit entitlement results in a large reduction in Council Tax support.
Answered by Alison McGovern
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. This review may include the provision for those migrating between benefits. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is reviewed annually. The government currently has no plans to assess these schemes, however it encourages those who are struggling to pay their council tax bill to discuss their circumstances with their council.
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