Council Tax cut proposed for those in Ipswich on lowest incomes

Published26th August 2022

In response to the Cost of Living Crisis, Ipswich Borough Council is proposing a new Council Tax discount scheme that will cut bills for thousands of Ipswich residents on the lowest incomes.

The new scheme will increase the maximum discount available to 100% for working age households on the very lowest incomes and dramatically simplify the scheme for people on Universal Credit.

Over 7,000 people will benefit with an average saving of £2.09 a week and a maximum saving of £26.80 per week.

Because the new scheme is much simpler it will significantly reduce administrative costs by up £150,000 a year which would more than pay for the cost of implementing it.

If the proposal is agreed by the Council then it would be in place for 2023/24 Council Tax bills.

Residents of state pension age already get the highest level of discount through a national scheme and this proposal doesn’t change that.

Cllr Bryony Rudkin, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, says:

We know the Cost of Living Crisis is hitting households across Ipswich and this proposal is aimed at providing additional support to some of those in greatest need.”

The report for the Executive meeting on 6 September is available here.