Council scraps tax for young care leavers

North Devon Council has scrapped council tax for young care leavers

A Devon council has agreed to scrap council tax for people who leave the care system until they are 25.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said North Devon District councillors had agreed to offer them a 100% discount.

The change, which has been supported by other local authorities across the county, is to come into effect later this month.

Care leavers are considered particularly vulnerable for getting into council tax debt as they move into independent accommodation and manage their finances for the first time.

David Worden, Lib Dem councillor for South Molton, who proposed the recommendation, said it was a "really good scheme".

He said: "It is a very difficult time for young people who leave their care provision and become independent.”

The council will use around £6,000 for the scheme until March 2024 and then the cost will be absorbed by the overall collection fund for council tax under its exceptional hardship policy.