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Updated for 2026

Council tax support funding has been under pressure for over a decade, and 2026 is no different. Since the government replaced the national Council Tax Benefit scheme with localised Council Tax Reduction (CTR) schemes in 2013, funding for low income households has been steadily squeezed. Research from the Local Government Association shows that total funding for council tax support has fallen by well over £1 billion since the change was introduced.

For many councils in England, this has meant passing the shortfall onto residents. Some local authorities now require even the lowest income households to pay at least a portion of their council tax bill, where previously they would have been exempt entirely. According to analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Institute for Fiscal Studies, millions of low income families are paying more council tax in real terms than they were a decade ago.

In 2025/26, local councils across England face further budget pressures. Rising demand for adult social care and children’s services, combined with years of reduced central government grants, means many authorities are raising council tax by the maximum permitted amount. For the 2025/26 financial year, most councils in England were allowed to raise council tax by up to 5% without a local referendum, including a 2% adult social care precept.

These increases hit hardest for people already struggling with the cost of living. Energy bills, food prices, and rent have all risen sharply in recent years, and council tax is one more bill that can feel impossible to keep up with.

What help is available?

If you are struggling to pay your council tax, there are several options worth exploring:

• Apply for your local Council Tax Reduction scheme. Each council sets its own rules, so check what you may be entitled to.
• Contact your council to discuss a payment plan. Most local authorities would rather agree an affordable arrangement than chase arrears through enforcement action.
• Check whether you qualify for any council tax exemptions or discounts, such as the single person discount, student exemption, or disability reduction.
• If bailiffs have been instructed, you still have rights. They must follow strict rules about what they can and cannot do.

At Council Tax Advisors, we understand that falling behind on council tax can feel overwhelming. Our experienced advisors can help you understand your options, speak to your council on your behalf, and put a plan in place to deal with arrears before things escalate.

Even with reduced funding and rising bills, help is still available. The important thing is not to ignore the problem. Get in touch with our team today for free, confidential advice on your council tax situation.

Updated for 2026

Being behind on your council tax payments can be a worrying, stressful, and daunting experience. If you’re struggling to pay your council tax, it’s vital to contact your council as soon as possible. We understand that this can be a difficult process, which is why we are able to mediate between you and your council to organise affordable and manageable repayment plans.

If you are behind on your council tax payments or struggling to pay the required amount, it’s important to ensure that you’re on the correct payment plan for you and your family. Council Tax Reduction (which replaced the old Council Tax Benefit back in 2013) is still available through your local council. Understanding council tax and whether you’re eligible for a discounted rate can be complicated, but at Council Tax Advisors we are committed to providing you with simple, clear, and important information.

The eligibility for a council tax reduction varies depending on your circumstances, but if you are the only person in your household responsible for paying council tax you may be eligible. If you live alone, for example, you can be entitled to 25% off your council tax bill. Similarly, if your income is below a certain amount, you may qualify for a reduction. If you live with someone with a disability or you are a carer, you may be entitled to a reduced payment plan.

While the amount reduced depends on many factors, such as your household income, whether you are responsible for children, and where you live, getting a council tax reduction can be particularly helpful if you are struggling to keep up with your payments. With council tax bills rising again in 2025/26, more households than ever are finding it difficult to stay on top of payments.

If you’re struggling to pay your council tax or are dealing with council tax arrears and are confused about what reductions you might be entitled to, contact our experts who are knowledgeable on all aspects of council tax arrears. We can advise you on your eligibility for a council tax reduction and, if necessary, mediate between you and your council to negotiate an affordable repayment plan.

Updated for 2026

Council tax support for low-income households in England has been shrinking for over a decade, and the situation continues to worsen. When the government abolished the national Council Tax Benefit system in April 2013 and handed responsibility to local authorities, the funding was cut by 10% from day one. Since then, councils under increasing financial pressure have steadily reduced the help available to their poorest residents.

By 2026, the picture is stark. The majority of councils in England require even the lowest-income households to pay at least some council tax, with minimum payments ranging from 5% to 30% or more of the full bill. Only a small number of authorities still offer full council tax support equivalent to the old national benefit. For hundreds of thousands of families already struggling with rising living costs, energy bills and food prices, this additional financial burden can be the tipping point into serious debt.

Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has consistently highlighted that council tax debt disproportionately affects the poorest households. Council tax is a priority debt, meaning local authorities have powerful enforcement tools at their disposal, including bailiff action, attachment of earnings and even committal proceedings. The consequences of falling behind are severe, yet the support to prevent arrears building up has only continued to shrink.

The council tax support landscape varies hugely depending on where you live. Some councils have introduced banded discount schemes, income-based taper models or hardship funds, while others offer very little flexibility. Understanding what your local authority provides, and what you might be entitled to, is the first step towards getting back on track.

If you are struggling with council tax payments, seeking advice early is essential. Council Tax Advisors can help you understand your rights, check whether you are receiving the correct level of support and negotiate with your council on your behalf. We can help arrange manageable repayment plans for arrears and advise on how to deal with bailiff action if it reaches that stage.

With household budgets under more pressure than ever in 2026, council tax advice is not a luxury. It is a necessity for the growing number of families who find themselves caught between rising bills and shrinking support.

The bedroom tax, officially known as the Spare Room Subsidy or removal of the spare room subsidy, was introduced in April 2013 as part of wider welfare reforms. It reduces the amount of housing benefit you receive if you have a spare bedroom in your council or housing association home. Your housing benefit is cut by 14% for one extra bedroom, and 25% for two or more spare bedrooms.

This article was originally published in a previous year and has been fully updated for 2026 to reflect current legislation, figures, and guidance.

More than a decade on, the policy continues to affect hundreds of thousands of tenants across England and Wales. Many councils have reported that tenants hit by the bedroom tax are more likely to fall into rent arrears than those unaffected. For families already managing tight budgets, even a small cut to housing benefit can make the difference between keeping up with payments and falling behind.

The knock-on effect on council tax is significant. When your housing benefit is reduced, you have less money available for other household bills, including council tax. If you are already receiving Council Tax Reduction (formerly Council Tax Benefit), the bedroom tax does not directly affect that, but the financial pressure of paying more towards rent often means council tax payments get missed.

What can you do if the bedroom tax has left you in arrears?

If your housing benefit has been cut and you are struggling to keep up with rent or council tax payments, there are several steps worth considering:

• Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from your local council. These are designed to help tenants who face a shortfall in their housing benefit.
• Check whether you qualify for Council Tax Reduction. Many councils offer additional support for people on low incomes.
• Contact your landlord or council as early as possible. Explaining your situation before debts build up can lead to more flexible repayment arrangements.
• Look into whether you can take in a lodger or use the spare room in a way that removes the deduction.
• Seek advice on whether a transfer or mutual exchange to a smaller property might be practical for your circumstances.

The most important thing is to act quickly. Ignoring arrears will only make the situation worse, and councils have enforcement powers that can escalate the costs you face.

At Council Tax Advisors, we help people who have fallen into council tax arrears, whether that is because of the bedroom tax, changes to benefits, or other financial difficulties. Our advisors can contact your council on your behalf to negotiate a manageable repayment plan and help prevent further enforcement action. If you are struggling, get in touch and let us help you find a way forward.