Council tax reduction scheme extended

Image caption, About 53,800 people in County Durham are covered by the scheme
  • Author, Jason Arunn Murugesu
  • Role, 大象传媒 News, North East and Cumbria

More than 50,000 people will continue to get reduced council tax after a local authority decided to extend the cost cut for another year.

Officials at Durham County Council approved the extension of the council tax reduction scheme for people on low incomes.

Councillor Richard Bell said it was an acknowledgement that residents face "huge pressure on their household budgets".

About 53,800 people in County Durham are covered by the scheme, the local authority said.

Of these, over 20,000 are of pension age, while more than 41,000 people receive the maximum 100% discount, the council said.

According to local authority documents there has been a 9% increase in the proportion of working age people claiming the discount over the last 12 years.

Council tax bills in County Durham increased by 4.99% in April.

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