The Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has today confirmed the Government’s £500 million Hardship Fund will provide Council Tax relief to vulnerable people and households, in a bid to help those affected most by the coronavirus pandemic. The Government has set out that the Hardship Fund, which was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in the 2020 Budget, will go to local authorities in England.
The fund will enable these local authorirties to enable them to reduce the 2020/21 Council Tax bills of working-age people receiving Local Council Tax Support.
Councils will also be able to use the funding to provide further discretionary support to vulnerable people – through other support arrangements such as Local Welfare Schemes, the government confirmed today.
Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “Providing the necessary financial support to people and families is critical at this difficult time when many people will be concerned about changes to their income.
“That’s why we’re giving local councils an additional £500 million, to ensure help is available for the most vulnerable people in our society who are struggling to pay their council tax bills.
“The Government is on your side and will do whatever takes to help.”
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