Waltham Forest Council to cut council tax support by 10% for vulnerable households
The proposal would save £970,000 a year, affect over 7,000 homes and is open for comment until November 2026
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Waltham Forest Council announced a draft amendment to its council tax support scheme that would lower the discount for eligible residents from 85% to 75%. The move targets households classified as having limited capability for work or those with children under five. As reported by the Standard, the council says the adjustment is needed to keep the scheme affordable and comparable with other London authorities.
Background to the proposal
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The Green‑led administration took over the scheme after a Labour government reduced it in 2024. Under the current rules, qualifying residents receive an 85% reduction on their council tax bill. Councillor Em Dean, cabinet member for finances and resources, explained that the council reviews the scheme each year to ensure it remains fair, affordable and sustainable. He added that no decision has been taken yet and that a £750,000 hardship fund will remain in place to help households facing acute financial pressure.
Impact on households
The council’s calculations show the cut would save £970,000 a year. It would affect 7,079 households that would see their discount fall, while 2,343 households would move into a higher discount band and receive more help. Example scenarios in the consultation illustrate a single mother with a disabled child losing £4.15 a week, and a part‑time worker gaining £2.22 a week under the new banding.
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We review the council tax support scheme every year to make sure it remains fair, affordable, and sustainable.
Em Dean, Councillor, Waltham Forest Council
Political response
Opposition leader Councillor Kizzy Gardiner of Waltham Forest Labour called the plan "surprising" and "deeply concerning". She warned that the proposal would force thousands of residents to pay more amid ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures. Gardiner said the Green leadership must justify the cuts against its manifesto pledge to set up a cost‑reduction taskforce and expand support for vulnerable households.
Next steps
The consultation on the proposals runs until the end of November 2026. The council expects to publish its final decision in December 2026. If approved, the revised discount rates would be applied from 1 April 2027, the start of the new financial year for local authorities.
Questions this report answers
+How many households will lose council tax support under the proposal?
The council estimates that 7,079 households will see a reduction in their council tax discount. Those households will move from an 85% reduction to a 75% reduction, meaning they will pay more of their tax bill each year.
+How much money will the council save by cutting the support?
The proposed cut is projected to save Waltham Forest Council £970,000 each year. The savings are intended to keep the council tax support scheme affordable and to avoid raising overall council tax rates or using emergency reserves.
+When will the changes to council tax support take effect if approved?
If the council adopts the proposal, the new discount rates will start on 1 April 2027. That date aligns with the beginning of the local authority’s financial year, allowing the council to apply the changes uniformly across all households.
+When does the public consultation on the proposal end?
The consultation period closes in November 2026. Residents and interest groups can submit comments until that deadline, after which the council will consider the feedback and aim to announce its final decision in December 2026.
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