Local Welsh Labour Members of the Senedd Joyce Watson MS and Eluned Morgan MS are urging everyone to check if they are eligible for help with paying their council tax bills.
With more people than ever facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus crisis, the Welsh Labour Government’s flagship Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) already supports almost 300,000 low-income households in Wales every year with their council tax bills.
You may be entitled to pay less council tax if:
- you believe you live on a low income
- you live alone, or with people/children who do not pay council tax
- you are a student
- you are disabled
- you are severely mentally impaired
Joyce Watson MS, Mid and West Wales, said:
“I know this is an incredibly difficult time for everyone, with many people struggling to cope financially due to the effects of Covid-19.
“The Council Tax Reduction Scheme is already helping hundreds of thousands of households across Wales, but I know that there are still many missing out on the discounts, reductions and exemptions they are entitled to. I encourage everyone to check the Welsh Government website to find out if they could be paying less. The check doesn’t take long and can be accessed at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C8TB4/?lang=300442”
Ensuring that vulnerable households are benefiting from the help they are entitled to is a priority for the Welsh Labour Government. Last year, Welsh Labour’s Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans MS, commissioned independent research to understand the impact of the UK Tory Government’s Universal Credit on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and rent arrears in Wales.
The final report shows that for many households in Wales, the move to Universal Credit can have a negative impact on council tax reduction awards, council tax debt or rent arrears. The report also provides more detail about some of the options for making changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and highlights the difficulties some households face in understanding the Universal Credit system as well as its relationship with the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Eluned Morgan MS, Mid and West Wales, added:
“The findings from this latest report will also help the Welsh Labour Government understand the negative impact that the Tory UK Government’s Universal Credit system is having on some of the most vulnerable people in Mid and West Wales.
“Ensuring every household receives the council tax support they are entitled to is an important part of the Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to making council tax fairer.”
