Reading Borough Council is proposing to replace its current Council Tax Support Scheme for working-age residents with a new simplified income-banded scheme from April 2027: the Council Tax Support Scheme, which helps people on low incomes pay their council tax.

The current system was designed for an older welfare system and no longer works efficiently alongside Universal Credit, so we are proposing to replace it with a simpler and more predictable way of calculating support. The proposed changes would affect how the council assesses whether working-age households qualify for support and how much support they should receive.

The council is asking for residents’ feedback on the proposed changes.

Any comments, concerns, or suggestions received during the consultation will be reviewed before councillors make a final decision on the Council Tax Support Scheme as part of the Council’s budget-setting process in February 2027.

Take part in the consultation: Council Tax Support Scheme consultation