Brent Changes Council Tax Support System After Annual £28.2 Million Bill

Brent Council has changed its council tax support system after five years of residents not paying enough tax and needing extra support.

Since 2015/16, the council has had to increase its tax support bill from £25.2 million to £28.2 million.

Residents on benefits, students, pensioners and those living alone are eligible for reductions and support for council tax.

Brent Council’s new means-tested support scheme, which is calculated based on the weekly income of the claimant, was launched following the introduction of Universal Credit.

The council hopes this new scheme will reduce their bill for supporting taxpayers but also reduce the total of underpaid council tax, which equates to £22.3 million since 2014, which has increased year on year.

During this time, council tax began to increase year on year after a six-year freeze so residents in Band D properties saw their annual bills increase from £1,353.94 in 2015 to £1,644.81 from April 1.

To find out more about the new support scheme or you are struggling to pay council tax, go to Brent Council’s website. 

The findings were sourced through a Freedom of Information Request by media literacy charity The Student View.