Merton Council has announced plans to continue their Council Tax Support scheme which helps households on the lowest incomes in the borough by lifting them out of having to pay any Council Tax.

This now extended scheme, which is one of the most generous in the county, will help thousands of people right across the borough, and is essential in supporting people through the cost of living crisis.

At a meeting on Thursday (16 November) the council’s Cabinet agreed to extend the Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2024/25, subject to approval by full Council at their meeting in February 2024.  

Based on current levels of council tax support, it is estimated that £13.141 million will be granted in council tax support for 2024/25 – helping more than 9,800 households in Merton during these challenging times.

Since the government abolished council tax benefit in 2013, the council has stepped up to provide the support needed to people struggling to make ends meet. The council formally consults on uprating the council tax support scheme each year, and then puts forward it’s plans for the scheme which assists in preventing residents on the lowest incomes from facing an increased council tax bill.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Councillor Billy Christie, said: “Our Council Tax Support Scheme is one of the most generous in the country and we would like to see it extended into the next financial year, so that we can help thousands of households right across Merton during this cost of living crisis.”