Council tax to be scrapped for terminally ill

Terminally ill people with less than a year to live will be exempt from paying council tax in Hull

Terminally ill people with less than a year to live will be exempt from paying council tax in Hull, councillors have confirmed.

Earlier this year, Manchester City Council became the first local authority in England to offer full exemption in such cases after working with end of life charity, Marie Curie, which is calling on all local authorities to follow suit.

The motion, which received unanimous backing at Hull City Council's full council meeting on Thursday, was put forward by Labour councillor, Anna Thompson.

"For those given a terminal diagnosis, life changes overnight," she told the chamber.

Fellow Labour councillor Sharon Kassim said the motion embraced the principles of "dignity and compassion."

"The cost of a serious illness isn't just medical, it's emotional, practical, and deeply financial," she said.

"Many rely on loved ones, who also cut their hours or give up employment to provide care.

"At the same time the cost rises because of transport to appointments, heating for comfort, specialist equipment, and countless small expenses that stack up quickly," she added.

Meanwhile, Councillor Jack Haines, from the authority's ruling Liberal Democrat group, said: "The cost of living crisis is hitting so many people hard.

"The motion passed today will help those vulnerable people affected by terminal illness. It will also show Hull as leading the way in the vital work done by Marie Curie and other charities."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the authority has also pledged to change its policies to explicitly include a commitment to support people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Haines added: "It's the little gestures of kindness that we all make as a council and as councillors that separates us from the rest of what is quite a worrying political climate out there."

The proposal will be reviewed at the council's budget meeting in February.

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