Get emergency foodCouncil Tax Reduction Scheme Campaign!
From 1st April 2026, Wirral Council have changed their policy around Council Tax Reduction.
They have reduced council tax support from a maximum of 82.50% off your council bill to only 50% meaning that residents living on the lowest income will have to pay a minimum of £50-80 per month. This is a huge increase to the cost of living for low income residents as 2 years ago when council tax reduction was a maximum of 100% meaning that some people didn’t have to pay anything.
The public consultation revealed that Wirral people overwhelmingly opposed the change (853 responses with 71% opposing).
Whilst many people associate Wirral with wealth, the borough is in fact home to some of the top 1% deprived areas in the country (central Birkenhead). Wirral Foodbank consistently supports 200-300 people every week with emergency food. We cannot fail our neighbours and community and continue to worsen poverty. Is this how a fair society looks?
We predict that many people will not be able to pay the increased costs, leaving the council without the extra funds they desire. Others will unknowingly pay through deductions of Universal Credit etc and be left with even less money than they are currently paying. Our recent short survey in Bidston St James Birkenhead showed that most people do not know how much council tax they pay as it comes out of their Universal Credit as an automatic deduction. This was very concerning to us as it only happens when you are in debt. A recent food bank client who is a carer for their husband, told us that increases to Council Tax led them to use the food bank.
Changed benefits from ESA to UC and it’s left us with no money for up to 4-5 weeks as we were receiving it more regularly before. Having to pay towards council tax now has left us short of money. Having to use car and pay for fuel for my partner to get to hospital appointments is not affordable.
Action
Help share our communications that have been produced by Citizens Advice Wirral about Council Tax Reduction, how to apply to the Council Tax Discretionary Hardship Relief. Speak to your family and friends.
Where you can share:
- Schools
- GPs
- Bus shelters
- Community cafes
- Social Media – Facebook groups
- Other general public spaces
We will be running surveys across our food bank centres and will be sharing the results with councillors about how the increased cost of council tax is impacting on levels of poverty in the Wirral.