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Liverpool Council Tax
exemption for care leavers
YOUNG people leaving care in Liverpool
are set to be granted an exemption from paying Council Tax. The Council's
Cabinet is being recommended to approve the proposal which would benefit young
people up to the age of 21, who are leaving the care system and starting to lead
independent lives.
It follows a request from Liverpool's Children in Care Council; a group that
represents young people in care in the City, and the move is also backed by the
Children's Society.
Evidence shows that care leavers often move into their own house or flat earlier
than their peers, and they are a particularly vulnerable group for getting into
debt.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "Young people leaving care face a
difficult transition into adulthood and managing money for the first time leaves
them at real risk. We all want the best for our children, and as their corporate
parent it is right and proper that we do all we can to support them as much as
we can, to help get their independence off to a good start."
Councillor Barry Kushner, the Cabinet member for Children's Services, said:-
"There are only 20 Councils that offer care leavers Council Tax exemption, and I
am proud that Liverpool is joining this list. We help give care leavers a good
start to their adult life and this decision will add to the support we offer in
funding a tenancy with a social landlord as well as access to training and paid
work placements."
Caitlin Ruddy from the Children in Care Council said:- "This exemption is
going to help us transition from care to independence so much. Many of us give
up on a property because we get into debt with Council Tax. It will also be a
big incentive for our care leavers to gain employment and stay in work and we
thank the Council for its help and support."
Currently, 87 of Liverpool's 393 care leavers
are in independent accommodation and would be eligible for the exemption, which
would be worth at least ₤875 a year (based on a young person living on their own
in a Band A property).
Those who live outside of the City boundary
will receive a payment equivalent to the amount of Council Tax they have to pay.
People that foster 1 or more child for the
City Council already get free Council Tax, as part of a package of measures to
support those helping look after the City's vulnerable young people.
The Cabinet meets on Friday, 21 July 2017, to consider the recommendation.
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