Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released the latest Council Tax Reduction (CTR) figures which show that in June the scheme supported 497,960 households and the total weekly income forgone by local authorities totalled £7.3 million.
The new data covers the period when some of the wider impacts of the coronavirus pandemic began to affect the CTR figures.
The total number of CTR recipients in Scotland increased sharply in April 2020 with further increases recorded during this quarter as a result of the economic impact of Covid-19.
This was also caused by an annual rise in Council Tax bills – an agreement between the Scottish Government and local authorities means that locally determined Council Tax increases are capped at 4.84 per cent in 2020-21.
Local Authority and number of Council Tax Reduction recipients
Scotland - 497,960
Aberdeen City - 14,220
Aberdeenshire -13,240
Angus - 9,010
Argyll and Bute - 7,130
Edinburgh - 36,310
Clackmannanshire - 5,540
Dumfries and Galloway - 14,240
Dundee City - 18,310
East Ayrshire - 13,660
East Dunbartonshire - 5,930
East Lothian - 7,060
East Renfrewshire - 4,590
Falkirk - 12,970
Fife - 30,410
Glasgow City - 93,410
Highland - 18,230
Inverclyde - 9,940
Midlothian - 6,160
Moray - 5,850
Na h-Eileanan Siar - 2,160
North Ayrshire - 17,450
North Lanarkshire - 37,550
Orkney Islands - 1,410
Perth and Kinross - 8,340
Renfrewshire - 19,660
Scottish Borders - 9,110
Shetland Islands - 1,160
South Ayrshire - 10,450
South Lanarkshire - 31,970
Stirling - 5,650
West Dunbartonshire - 11,360
West Lothian - 15,510
Could you be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill?
There are some circumstances where you may get a reduction on your Couuncil Tax and the amount of discount varies depending on your circumstances.
If you live alone
The full Council Tax is calculated assuming there are two or more people living in each home – if you live alone, you should apply to your local council for a discount. You could get a 25 per cent reduction, regardless of your financial circumstances.
If you live with someone under 18 or a student
Council Tax isn’t calculated on anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices or trainees.
If you’re a carer
Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and who meet additional criteria may be disregarded for council tax purposes, contact your local authority for their eligibility criteria.
Just be aware, this doesn’t apply if the person receiving care is the partner of the carer, or is the carer’s child aged under 18.
Apply for Council Tax support
You may be eligible to claim a Council Tax Reduction, if you’re on a low income or claiming certain benefits.
You can also claim Council Tax support regardless of whether you own your own home or rent, or whether you’re working or unemployed.
Each local council is responsible for operating their own COuncil Tax support scheme, so the amounts of support given across the country may vary.
The amount you will get depends on many factors, including:
Which benefits you receive
Your age
Your income
Your savings
Who you live with
How much Council Tax you pay
You may get more Council Tax support if you receive a disability or carers benefit.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit Part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full. If you don’t have it, but are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help.
Contact your local council from the list below to apply for a Council Tax discount or to check if you are eligible for other financial support.
