City scraps council tax for terminally ill people

Terminally ill people in Manchester with less than a year to live will no longer have to pay council tax.

Manchester City Council has changed its policy for people with a terminal diagnosis "to ease the burden" on them.

End of life charity Marie Curie, which has worked with the authority on the "pioneering" plans, said the council was the first in England to offer full exemption for people with a terminal illness.

Margaret, from Bolton, called on other councils to follow Manchester's lead, adding: "It's bad enough being ill, but we desperately need more support, not only with health issues but with finances."

She added: "I am unable to work, so have much less money coming in than before."

The charity said Audrey, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, declared herself bankrupt while caring for her terminally ill husband, Eddie, who has since died.

"It would have been great to have been council tax exempt when Eddie was first diagnosed," Audrey said.

"It would have been one less bill to worry about. That money could have been spent on other bills like heating, lighting, food or equipment to make Eddie's daily living easier.

"You shouldn't have to worry about money or bills when you are dying.

"It would go a long way to help with other unseen costs when you have a palliative diagnosis."

Marie Curie said these costs included powering home medical devices and having the heating on longer and higher to help manage symptoms.

More than 300 people die in poverty every day in the UK, according to the charity's Dying in Poverty 2024 report.

Manchester City Council announced the change to its discretionary council tax policy to specifically support people diagnosed with a terminal illness who receive council tax support.

It estimated the move would support about 175 residents in Manchester, the majority of whom would be of working age.

Council leader Bev Craig said the local authority wanted to do "all we can to ease the burden at the end of someone's life".

She added: "The moment you or your family member gets the devastating news of terminal illness is heart-breaking.

"The last thing you need to worry about is money and bills, but we know for too many people it takes up too much time and stress.

"Too many people are living in poverty in our city, and the council is committed to doing all it can to alleviate it.

"That's why we are exempting people with a terminal illness from council tax, alongside a wider package of support with the cost of living."

Jamie Thunder, from Marie Curie, said the charity applauded the council for "recognising people living with terminal illness need more financial support".

He said the "pioneering" move "shows there are tools at local authorities' disposal to offer meaningful financial support to people facing poverty at the end of life".

Mr Thunder added: "We now urgently need more councils to adopt a similar approach, to help more people live out their last months, weeks, and days without needing to worry about their bills."

Bolton Council said: "We have a council tax discretionary relief scheme for residents suffering financial hardship.

"Cases are considered based on individual circumstances."

Sunderland Council has been contacted by the BBC.

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