Are you missing out on a council tax reduction?

With more people than ever facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus crisis, Member of the Senedd for Cardiff South and Penarth, Vaughan Gething, is urging everyone to check if they are eligible for help with paying their council tax bills.

Member of the Senedd Vaughan Gething, 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 websiteto 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.

Vaughan 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 Cardiff South and Penarth.”

 “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.”