The Council Tax Reduction scheme in Scotland has provided significant financial relief to low-income households since its inception in 2013.
Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in financial support through the Council Tax Reduction scheme since it launched in 2013. People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland - there is no equivalent in England where most local authorities require each household to contribute a minimum amount of Council Tax every month.
The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 460,560 recipients were eligible for Council Tax Reduction in October 2024, saving an average of over £850 a year. Finance Secretary Shona Robison is now urging people to “check their eligibility for Council Tax reduction, Council Tax discounts and other financial support” online or by contacting their local council. Ms Robison said: “The First Minister has been clear that one of the Scottish Government’s key missions is to eradicate child poverty. The Council Tax Reduction scheme is just one of the groundbreaking initiatives that we have introduced and continue to fund to support households. “Alongside the Scottish Child Payment, we will continue the fight against poverty through the Scottish Budget by providing vital funding for universal winter heating payments for older Scots, and investment to allow the mitigation of the two-child cap from 2026. “I urge people to check their eligibility for Council Tax reduction, Council Tax discounts and other financial support by visiting our online resources or by contacting their local council.” Latest Benefits News Millions of households across Scotland could see Council Tax bills rise from April after the Scottish Government confirmed during the December Budget that the current freeze will end after the 2024/25 financial year ends. However, in an effort to prevent big increases, the Scottish Government increased local authority funding by more than £1 billion for the 2025/26 financial yea
FINANCE SOCIAL WELFARE COUNCIL TAX SCOTLAND CHILD POVERTY
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