Camden Council’s 5PS offices in King’s Cross

MORE than 22,000 people in Camden will be told they will either not have to pay council tax – or receive a heavy discount.

The help for the borough’s poorest residents is the fifth year that Camden has extended its Council Tax Support Scheme.

Local authorities in several areas have decided that it takes too many resources to chase unpaid bills from those on the lowest incomes and simply cannot afford to pay.

The scheme comes with a spend of £33million but will mean fewer people are chased through the courts for money they don’t have.

As the cost-of-living crisis becomes a permanent challenge for so many, around 16,100 Camden households in the greatest need, including over 5,300 pensioners, will not pay any council tax at all.

The level of support will be pegged with the increase in London Living Wage, so more people will be eligible for a full or partial discount and some people won’t lose out if they have received a pay rise, the council said this week.

With a crucial budget coming up at the start of next year, the proposed scheme will be debated by all councillors next month and will come into effect in April if it gets the final green light.

Finance chief Councillor Camron Aref-Adib said: “This is a priority scheme for us and one we’ve kept going – today we are one of the few councils in England offering up to a 100 per cent reduction in Council Tax. We want our residents to know that when times are tough, the council and its partners are here to support them.”

Camden also has a £2million Cost of Living Crisis and money to tackle child hunger and the cost of uniforms Residents can find out more about accessing money from these funds or what support they may be eligible for by visiting the Camden website, by calling the council on 020 7974 4444 (option 9), or by calling Citizens Advice Camden on 0808 278 7835.

To see if you are eligible for the council Tax support scheme, go to www.camden.gov.uk/council-tax-support/