Somerset council tax help could be cut again as councillors warn of arrears risk

By Laura Linham 8th Nov 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 minutes ago

Low-income households across Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Shepton Mallet could face higher council tax bills next April under proposals Somerset councillors have warned may push more residents into arrears.

Somerset Council is considering reducing the maximum Council Tax Reduction discount from 100% to 60%. The proposed scheme would also cap support at the amount due for a Band B property, even if a claimant lives in a higher band.

The changes are not approved. But they come after last year's reforms were linked to higher bills for thousands of Universal Credit claimants. Nub News reported that Citizens Advice Somerset estimated up to 4,481 people may have been affected, including one claimant whose support fell from 100% to 10%, leaving him more than £1,000 a year worse off.

At a September scrutiny meeting, councillors raised concerns that the new proposals could add to financial pressure on vulnerable residents and increase council tax arrears. They questioned whether the Band B cap was too low and asked for household examples showing how the different changes could combine.

The proposals also include a minimum award of £5 a week. Councillors asked the council to assess whether this could leave people with small council tax debts and increase pressure on its collection and recovery services.

The council says it needs a scheme that remains affordable while supporting residents in hardship. Its consultation on the 2027/28 scheme closed on 28 September.

The proposals are due to return to the council's Corporate and Strategic Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 11 November. The committee can make recommendations before the scheme goes to the Executive and Full Council for a decision in December. Any changes would take effect from 1 April 2027.

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