Council Tax is becoming an increasingly unmanageable expense for older people in financial hardship. Unlike many other bills, households cannot reduce the cost of their Council Tax bill by making cutbacks or shopping around.
One tool the UK Government and local authorities in England have to support those struggling is Council Tax Reduction (CTR). CTR is a lifeline. For qualifying older people it can reduce their bill to £0. Despite this, CTR remains poorly understood.
A new report by Independent Age reveals the incredible potential of CTR to support older people in financial hardship, and analyses why it remains an under-received form of support.