Households in the UK are saving billions of pounds collectively on council tax through the government’s reduction scheme. Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in relief since the Council Tax Reduction scheme was introduced in 2013.
People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland – there is no equivalent in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.
The latest figures show 460,560 recipients were eligible for Council Tax Reduction in October 2024, saving an average of over £850 a year. Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The First Minister has been clear that one of the Scottish Government’s key missions is to eradicate child poverty. The Council Tax Reduction scheme is just one of the groundbreaking initiatives that we have introduced and continue to fund to support households.
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“Alongside the Scottish Child Payment, we will continue the fight against poverty through the Scottish Budget by providing vital funding for universal winter heating payments for older Scots, and investment to allow the mitigation of the two-child cap from 2026.
“I urge people to check their eligibility for Council Tax reduction, Council Tax discounts and other financial support by visiting our online resources or by contacting their local council.” People can check whether they are eligible for Council Tax Reduction through mygov.scot or by contacting their local council.
According to GOV.UK, people are disregarded if they are any of the following:
- Under 18 years old
- On certain apprentice schemes
- Aged 18 or 19 and in full-time education
- Full-time students at college or university
- Under 25 and receiving funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency
- Student nurses
- Foreign language assistants registered with the British Council
- Severely mentally impaired
- Live-in carers for someone who is not their partner, spouse, or child under 18
- Diplomats.