Bedford Borough Council has confirmed it will review options to exempt terminally ill taxpayers from council tax as part of its upcoming 2027/28 Budget.
The response follows calls from end-of-life charity Marie Curie for local authorities across the East of England to grant council tax relief to people facing terminal illness.
A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council told the Bedford Independent: “Bedford Borough Council recognises that people with a life-limiting cancer diagnosis face higher costs, which adds unnecessary worry and strain to what is already a difficult time.
“The Council will consider the options to support terminally ill taxpayers as part of the upcoming 2027/28 Budget.”
Financial pressure
Across the East of England, an estimated 7,437 people living with a terminal illness could qualify for council tax relief if every local authority implemented the policy.
Marie Curie’s Dying in Poverty report revealed that the final year of life carries a 32% higher risk of poverty for working-age adults and a 23% higher risk for pensioners.
“A terminal diagnosis brings an end to normal life as people know it. It should not also bring increased financial hardship,” said Becca Stacey, senior policy manager for financial security.
“But for more than one in six people who die in the UK each year, the last period of life is marked by financial difficulty.
“People are often no longer able to work, and can face rising costs for energy, transport and vital medical equipment. It can mean additional stress and social isolation at the worst possible time.
“There is no single fix to poverty at the end of life, but local authorities can play their part and exempt terminally ill people from paying council tax, as others have shown is possible, and make it one less worry.
“No one should spend their final months worrying about bills. Support with council tax shouldn’t depend on where someone lives,” she added.
National initiative
Manchester City Council became the first local authority to introduce the policy when the campaign launched last summer, with support from Andy Burnham, then Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Since then, 26 other councils across England have introduced council tax reductions or exemptions for terminally ill local people.
Manchester City Council’s executive member for finance and resources, Cllr Andrew Simcock (Labour/Didsbury East), said the council was “proud” to introduce the policy.
“At a time when a family will be grappling with incredibly hard news, the last thing we wanted as a Council was them to worry about how the bills would be paid,” he said.
“By leading the way on this issue, it has been encouraging to see other local authorities adopt similar policies and our door is always open when it comes to sharing advice and learned lessons should any more wish to follow in our footsteps.”
Verification process
Councils operating the scheme verify eligibility using an SR1 document, issued by GPs or clinicians to confirm a life expectancy of 12 months or less.
The form is already used to unlock Department for Work and Pensions end-of-life benefits.
Marie Curie’s Support Line offers free information and emotional support for people living with a terminal illness and their family, friends and carers.
Call for free on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/support to chat online.
You can find out more about Marie Curie’s Cost of Dying campaign at mariecurie.org.uk/poverty. You can also sign up for updates on the campaign here.
