Waltham Forest plan would cut council tax help for 7,079 households

More than 7,000 of Waltham Forest’s poorest and most vulnerable households could see their council tax bills rise under proposals now out for consultation. The Green-led council wants to scale back its council tax support scheme, with 7,079 households getting less help and 2,343 getting more.

The council puts the yearly saving at around £970,000. It says it will keep its £750,000 hardship fund for residents who run into money trouble.

What changes to council tax support in Waltham Forest

Some vulnerable households can currently have up to 85% of their bill discounted. The council plans to cap support at 75%, arguing that this would cost less and bring the scheme more into line with other London boroughs.

Among those set to lose out are families with a child aged under five and people assessed as having a “limited capability for work”. The scheme was last overhauled in 2024 under the previous Labour administration, a change that left many low-paid residents of working age with much higher bills.

The consultation papers include worked examples. In one, a single mother with a severe disability looks after a child who is also severely disabled. Her help with the bill would go from £35.33 a week to £31.18, leaving her £4.15 worse off each week. Others would come out ahead. Someone working part time on £130 a week, who also receives a small Universal Credit payment, would gain £2.22 a week.

Council says no decision has been made

According to the council, more generous support would have to be paid for through cuts to other services, steeper council tax rises or its emergency reserves.

Em Dean, the councillor who holds the finance and resources brief in the cabinet, said no final decision had been made. “We review the council tax support scheme every year to make sure it remains fair, affordable and sustainable,” she said. She added that the council accepted some households could get less and wanted views on the impact and how it might be softened.

Councillor Kizzy Gardiner, who leads the Labour opposition, called the plans “surprising” and “deeply concerning” and said they would heap extra pressure on families already struggling. She asked how they squared with Green Party pledges to bring down living costs for residents and widen help with the cost of living.

The consultation runs until November, and councillors are expected to decide the following month. Any changes would not start until April 2027.