Shropshire Council proposes council tax relief for low-income families

Shropshire Council has launched a six-week public consultation regarding potential changes to its council tax support scheme. The proposal aims to provide additional relief to low-income families with children by no longer counting Child Benefit as part of their household income when calculating support levels.

Cabinet member for finance Roger Evans described the move as a “moral decision” intended to assist vulnerable residents, particularly those who have transitioned from legacy benefits to Universal Credit and may have seen a reduction in support. While the council acknowledges that disregarding Child Benefit will result in a loss of council tax income, officials stated the goal is to ensure the scheme better reflects the financial pressures faced by families.