Financial Lifeline for the Terminally Ill
Charity Marie Curie is leading a nationwide campaign, urging local authorities across England to exempt terminally ill residents from paying council tax. This call to action follows significant progress, with 16 local authorities now committed to implementing dedicated relief schemes for people at the end of life.
Leading Councils and Their Pledges
The movement gained momentum when Manchester City Council became the first to introduce this vital council tax relief during the summer. Barnsley Council followed suit last month, demonstrating a growing recognition of the need for compassionate financial support.
Other major councils have also pledged their support, with schemes expected to launch soon in cities including Bristol, Salford, and Preston. Furthermore, Marie Curie confirmed that an additional 11 councils have passed motions to explore creating their own relief schemes.
The list of authorities investigating support includes:
- Newcastle
- Wakefield
- Wirral
- Pendle
- Newark and Sherwood
- South Gloucestershire
- Milton Keynes
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Liverpool
- Burnley
- Sheffield
Tackling End-of-Life Poverty
The push for council tax exemption addresses a severe financial crisis faced by many terminally ill people. Marie Curie highlights that an estimated 111,000 people die in poverty each year in the UK. A terminal diagnosis often leads to a loss of income and a significant increase in household costs, particularly for energy bills.
Jamie Thunder, senior policy manager at Marie Curie, stated: “With a significant proportion of terminally ill people relying on benefits as their main source of income, council tax relief can be a huge support for families facing financial hardship. We applaud Manchester City Council and Barnsley City Council for leading the way.”
He added that these councils have set a powerful precedent and urged others to act swiftly, emphasising that “No one should spend their final months worrying about bills.”
Councillor Robert Frost from Barnsley Council echoed this sentiment, saying: “We recognise the emotional and often financial pressure that is placed upon people and families when someone is nearing the end-of-life due to a terminal illness. We hope that awarding the 100% council tax reduction will help to remove some pressure from households during these extremely difficult times. As a council, we feel this is the right thing to do.”
Marie Curie continues to encourage all local authorities in England to adopt similar measures, stressing that practical local policies can provide profound relief during a period of immense emotional and economic stress. The Local Government Association (LGA) has been approached for comment on the potential for broader national adoption of this policy.
