Council tax support is set to remain unchanged in Northumberland next year – and the county’s scheme will still be one of the most generous in the region. 
 

Cabinet agreed to continue to provide support for 2022-23 at a maximum level of 92% of council tax liability and will recommend Full Council approve the support scheme. 
 

By law a local Council Tax Support Scheme for pensioners and working age claimants needs to be agreed by 31 January 2022. Pensioners will continue to be eligible up to a maximum of 100% of their council tax liability.  
 

Last year the Council Tax Scheme had a maximum level of support for working age claimants of 92% - the same figure agreed for this year. This means that all working age claimants pay a minimum of 8% of their property’s council tax charge. 
 

The cost of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021-22 is forecast to be £26,213,048.  
 

In Northumberland there are currently 26,469 Council Tax Support claimants. This is made up of 10,116 who are of pensioner age and 16,353 who are working age.  
 

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, said: “Of the 12 North East Local Authorities only Durham has a more generous council tax support scheme in place and we’re pleased to be maintaining the same level of support for next year.”