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Council Tax Support Scheme increased to support struggling families in Boston

Posted 27 January, 2025

Families with no or low income in Boston Borough will be entitled to full council tax support from April 2025.

Boston Borough Council has unanimously voted to increase the amount of Council Tax Support available to low or no income households with children from 75 per cent to 100 per cent.

This is to help ease the financial burden for families struggling to make ends meet. 

Around one in three children in Boston Borough live in low-income households. Currently 1,109 households with children receive council tax support, of which 727 receive the maximum award.

The Council also voted to increase the maximum amount of Council Tax Support eligibility for other households from 75 to 85 per cent.

Council also voted to create a discretionary Exceptional Hardship Fund to help the most vulnerable during these economic times. As well as extra financial help, the fund will direct people to other support services they could be eligible for.

Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: "I am delighted that this council is doing what it can to support the families in our community who are really struggling in these tough times. By increasing the maximum amount which available through the Council Tax Support Scheme, it will remove the pressure from those eligible families, who would otherwise find it too difficult to pay their council tax.

"It is hoped that by introducing this new measure, we will help to lift approximately four hundred families out of poverty. Parents living in this borough are making difficult choices between feeding their family and paying bills they simply cannot afford.

"The council also encourages those who are eligible to take up this additional support."

Cllr Sandeep Ghosh, Portfolio Holder for Finance at Boston Borough Council said: "The Council has made this significant change to the Council Tax Support Scheme to help families who are struggling in our borough. We are one of the few authorities who now offer full council tax support to low and no income families.

"The maximum award is also increasing by 10% for other eligible households, and also by creating a new Exceptional Hardship Fund, it will help support those in our community with additional help."

The decision follows a fundamental review of the Council Tax Support Scheme and included a public consultation with residents, organisations and other authorities who set council tax. The changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme will come into effect in April 2025.

To find out more about the scheme, please visit https://www.boston.gov.uk/CTS

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