Local authorities plan to drop council tax charges for terminally ill

Several local authorities are planning to exempt people with less than 12 months to live from paying council tax.

The move comes following pressure from end-of-life charity Marie Curie, which said many families can case financial hardship after being diagnosed with a terminal illness and often rely on benefits.

Where are council tax charges being dropped?

Some councils have already introduced tax breaks for terminally ill people:

• Manchester
• Barnsley

And three other councils have committed to introducing similar measures soon: 

• Bristol
• Salford
• Preston

A further 11 more councils have passed motions showing support for the change:

• Newcastle
• Wakefield
• Wirral
• Pendle
• Newark and Sherwood
• South Gloucestershire
• Milton Keynes
• Blackburn with Darwen
• Liverpool
• Burnley
• Sheffield

Jamie Thunder, senior policy manager at Marie Curie, has praised the authorities in Manchester and Barnsley for “leading the way” on this issue.

“These councils have set a powerful precedent for compassionate local governance, showing that practical policy change is possible,” he said.

"We urge all councils across the country to follow suit and encourage those who have passed supportive motions to act swiftly on their commitments to make real change. 

“No one should spend their final months worrying about bills."

What can I do if I’m struggling with my council tax bills?

Council tax is a priority debt, which means there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay. 

If you don’t deal with it, the situation can quickly get worse and more expensive.

Here’s what to do if you're struggling:

• contact your local council right away to discuss your situation
• look into any discounts or exemptions you may qualify for
• think about setting up a payment plan to manage your debt over time
• seek debt advice if you’re struggling with money

The most important thing is not to bury your head in the sand. 

Councils won’t just forget about unpaid tax but many are willing to work with you if you reach out.