State pensioners council tax cut update as support surges to threshold | Personal Finance | Finance

Backing has grown rapidly for a fresh campaign demanding substantial council tax reductions for all state pensioners.

A petition on the parliamentary website has been gathering momentum swiftly – as worries mount over the cost of living crisis battering older people.

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal food and non-alcoholic beverage costs jumped by 4.4% in the year to May.

This marked the steepest rise in over 12 months, with products including ice cream, coffee, cheese and meat experiencing sharp increases.

The petition launched by David Papworth states: “I feel that current council tax rates do not take pension incomes into account. This means some pensioners are having to pay what I think is a very significant percentage of their pension towards council tax.”

“When many pensioners have worked for 50 odd years, paid into a pension, bought their own house, then retire on a lower income, I do not think they should have to pay such a significant amount of council tax.”

The petition, which can be accessed here, has attracted 7,383 signatures – and upon reaching 10,000 will receive an official government response, outlining its stance and potential for rule changes.

Should it achieve 100,000 signatures, it could secure a parliamentary debate.

Pensioners currently face standard council tax rates unless they meet criteria for reductions.

Council Tax Reduction, alternatively called Council Tax Support, provides assistance for those on limited incomes or receiving specific benefits to manage their Council Tax obligations.

People can make a claim regardless of whether they own their home or are renting, and employment status will not affect the claim.

Council tax reduction eligibility:

People on a low income or receiving certain benefits might be eligible for Council Tax Reduction. But whether a person is eligible in an area, and what they might be eligible for, is up to the local council. Each council has their own rules so people should check what the rules are in their area.