Burnley residents most at risk to receive council tax support

It will help local authorities like Burnley Council to reduce this year's (20/21) council tax bills for working age people who receive local council tax support. Council tax support provides help for people on low incomes with their council tax bill.

Burnley is to receive £1.43 million to help cut the council tax burden on the most vulnerable.

Coun. Margaret Lishman, the council's executive member for resources and performance management, said: "This extra support will help those who are struggling financially through this crisis. It will provide at least some help to those people who most at risk whenever there is any additional strain on their resources."

The Government recognises that Covid-19 is likely to cause fluctuations in household incomes and recognises that, as a result, some individuals may struggle to meet council tax payments. People in receipt of local council tax support schemes are recognised as the most vulnerable to changes in income.

The authority's council tax support scheme would have required everyone of working age to pay at least 16% of their council tax from April 1st, 2020. This will now be reduced by up to £150, or down to zero, depending on how much the person currently would have paid.

The council will be sending out new, amended bills to those eligible for this support as quickly as possible.

If any funding is still left after this, the Government has said councils should establish their own local approach to using any remaining grant to assist those in need through wider local support mechanisms. A decision on this will be made shortly.