A growing campaign led by the charity Marie Curie is set to spare thousands of people from paying council tax, offering crucial financial relief to families facing terminal illness.
Compassionate Council Tax Reform
The charity has successfully persuaded 16 local authorities in England to exempt terminally ill residents from council tax payments during their final months. This movement aims to provide a simple, compassionate solution to ease the immense financial pressure on families when they need it most.
Marie Curie has highlighted that the cost of dying has reached unprecedented levels, with approximately 111,000 people in the UK dying in poverty each year. The combination of lost income due to illness, soaring energy bills, and escalating care costs can create a severe financial crisis during what should be a period focused on care and comfort.
Leading Councils and Future Plans
Manchester City Council emerged as one of the pioneers, rolling out full council tax relief for terminally ill residents during the summer. Barnsley Council followed suit by introducing its own scheme last month.
The momentum continues to build with several other councils committing to similar initiatives. Bristol, Salford, and Preston have all passed motions supporting the move and are expected to implement their schemes shortly. An additional 11 local authorities have expressed support and are currently exploring how to make council tax relief a reality for their residents.
Barnsley councillor Robert Frost described the decision to offer 100% council tax reductions as "the right thing to do", emphasising how it helps remove additional pressure from families during exceptionally difficult times.
How to Check Eligibility
Residents who believe they might qualify for council tax relief, including exemptions for terminal illness or other local support schemes, should begin by checking their local council's official website. Most councils maintain dedicated sections such as "Council Tax Support" or "Benefits and reductions" where you can search for relevant information using terms like "council tax discount", "discretionary support", or "hardship relief".
Jamie Thunder, senior policy manager at Marie Curie, stated: "Council tax relief can make a huge difference for families already struggling to cope. Manchester and Barnsley have shown that compassionate local governance is possible – we now need every council to act. No one should spend their final months worrying about bills."
The charity continues to urge more councils across England to join this compassionate movement, describing it as a straightforward and humane way to support those in greatest need during life's most challenging moments.
