Council moves to exempt terminally ill people from council tax

Prominent Salford figures have encouraged the council’s decision to exempt terminally ill people from paying council tax.

Following campaigning from Marie Curie, Salford City Council has committed to stopping charging people who have received a terminal diagnosis council tax.

The prospective move has been hailed by Salford MP Rebecca Long Bailey, who described the policy as “compassionate.”

She said: “I strongly welcome Salford City Council’s decision to exempt terminally ill people from paying council tax.

“Nobody facing a terminal diagnosis should have to worry about bills or enforcement letters when they should be focusing on their health and loved ones.

“This is a compassionate and just policy that reflects Salford’s long-standing commitment to supporting residents through the most difficult times.

“I recently joined other MPs and trade union representatives in signing a letter coordinated by ACORN, calling for national reform of the council tax system to make it fairer and more humane.

“Salford’s decision shows the kind of compassion we need to see embedded in policy across the country.”

Members of the community have also added their backing to the move.

Samantha Ashcroft, the Headway Community Development Officer, says it will make a difference to the financial burden that comes with being terminally ill, stating that Salford City Council will be “leading the way” with this change.

Samantha’s work with brain injury patients goes far, spending her time in and out of work with support groups and individuals, doing her best to improve their quality of life socially.

She said that by exempting terminally ill people from paying council tax that it will expand the life-improving adjustments they can now access with the extra money: “It’s not their choice to be living with terminal illness and with such a small pot of benefits they can access, having the little extra from being exempt can maybe allow them some luxuries.”

She also states the impact this can have on carers’ lives, too. Relieving the financial burden that council tax can put on them can be a lot more of a help than most can comprehend.

Marie Curie has already secured commitments from 16 councils to drop the tax for people at the end of their lives and hopes more will follow.