COUNCILLORS in Northumberland have agreed to continue a scheme that covers the majority of council tax bills for the most vulnerable.

The council tax support scheme will provide support of up to 92 per cent of a household’s council tax liability for the coming year. The move is expected to cost the council £27.9 million, with around 28,000 people supported last year.

The total amount covered has sat at 92 per cent since 2019, when the Conservative administration reduced it from 100 per cent. Over the years the topic has been the subject of fierce debate between the Tories and the Labour opposition group on the council – however this time, for the second year in a row, Labour did not oppose the move.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting (November 6) of the county council, deputy leader Cllr Richard Wearmouth said: “It is £27.9 million that we spend on this year on year. It is a really important part of the leader’s three priorities, one of which is helping those who need our help and tackling inequalities in our communities.

READ MORE: Millions missing out on £1,500 in Council Tax support

“Every year we get asked the same question – is there anything else we can do? I will pre-empt it by saying we don’t know until we get the local government settlement, which is due on December 19. When we roll into the budget, we can revisit that question.”

Labour leader Scott Dickinson said his party had been assured by council officers that additional support for the most vulnerable was available from the local authority. However, the Green Party and the Independent Group were less convinced.

Green Party leader Cllr Nick Morphet said: “This year, council tax support claimants have had their liability reduced by up to 100 per cent through the council tax hardship scheme – but there’s no hardship scheme within next year’s budget.

“If we freeze support at 92 per cent, thousands will find themselves worse off. The Greens will be voting against freezing support.”

Independent Group councillor Georgina Hill accused Labour of backing the proposal over fear of criticism of the Governnment’s “shameful” decision to end winter fuel payments for most pensioners. Independent councillor Mary Murphy also questioned how much it would cost the council to provide 100 per cent support.

She said: “What concerns me is 92 per cent is almost 100 per cent. The reason it is 92 per cent is an ideological position, that everybody should pay something.

“I don’t get that principle. The amounts we’re talking about are probably thousands rather than millions – we may as well go for 100 per cent.”

Cllr Wearmouth argued that the additional level of support would cost the council around a further £2.9 million. He added: “We do an awful lot of work to make sure we cover it with money that comes in from Government.

“We have always managed to make funds available.”

Cllr Hill called for a named vote on the issue, but only six colleagues agreed – short of the eleven needed to force a named vote. The proposals were approved by the council.