Financial Relief for Families in Most Vulnerable Times
Thousands of people across England diagnosed with a terminal illness will no longer face the burden of council tax bills. This compassionate policy shift is being adopted by up to sixteen local authorities, offering crucial financial support to those with less than twelve months to live.
The initiative, which has already been implemented in Manchester and Barnsley, provides a 100% council tax reduction. Councils in Bristol, Salford, and Preston have also formally committed to removing the charges for their terminally ill residents.
A Nationwide Campaign for Compassion
This widespread change follows a sustained campaign by the end-of-life charity, Marie Curie. The charity revealed that a further eleven councils have passed motions intending to introduce the policy. These include Newcastle, Wakefield, Wirral, Pendle, Newark and Sherwood, South Gloucestershire, Milton Keynes, Blackburn with Darwen, Liverpool, Burnley, and Sheffield.
The move addresses a critical need, as charity data shows that approximately 111,000 people die in poverty in the UK each year. A terminal diagnosis often leads to lost income and increased living costs, such as higher electricity bills for essential medical equipment.
Personal Stories Highlight the Urgent Need
The human impact of this policy is profound. Audrey Buckham, from Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, was forced into bankruptcy while caring for her terminally ill husband, Eddie. She stated, "It would have been great to have been council tax exempt when Eddie was first diagnosed. It would have been one less bill to worry about."
She explained that the money could have been spent on heating, food, or equipment to make her husband's daily life easier. "You shouldn't have to worry about money or bills when you are dying," she added, emphasising that this support helps with the many unseen costs of a palliative diagnosis.
If all councils in England were to implement this policy, it is estimated that around 430,000 people could be exempt from council tax nationwide.
Charity and Councils Hail a Powerful Precedent
Jamie Thunder, Senior Policy Manager at Marie Curie, welcomed the developments. "With a significant proportion of terminally ill people relying on benefits as their main source of income, council tax relief can be a huge support for families facing financial hardship," he said.
He applauded Manchester and Barnsley for leading the way, stating they have "set a powerful precedent for compassionate local governance." The charity is now urging all councils across the country to follow suit and act swiftly on their commitments.
Councillor Robert Frost from Barnsley Council commented, "We're proud of our council tax support schemes... We recognise the emotional and often financial pressure that is placed upon people and families when someone is nearing the end-of-life. We hope that awarding the 100% council tax reduction will help to remove some pressure from households during these extremely difficult times. As a council, we feel this is the right thing to do."
