Overview
- North Lincolnshire Council approved a scheme that sets council tax to £0 for one year when a working-age resident is diagnosed as terminally ill, easing end-of-life bills.
- The relief uses the council’s discretionary powers and applies to the whole household that meets the eligibility rules.
- The programme will run for an initial two years, with eligibility and application guidance to be published on the council website.
- Marie Curie praised the move and urged other authorities to follow, noting that nearly 20 councils already offer similar support.
- The change comes as many councils increase charges, with Band D bills in England now averaging £2,392, making the targeted waiver more valuable for affected families.