Isle of Wight Council is consulting residents on the help it provides for those on lower incomes in paying council tax. Around 5,000 residents currently get this help, known as local council tax support.

Last year, the level of support was cut from 70 percent to 65 percent.

Earlier this year, the council agreed with me that it should look at restoring the level of support it gives, especially given the cost-of-living crisis. I’m pleased this is among the options being considered.

The main options included in the consultation include:

• keeping the level of support as it is at 65%
• increasing the top level of support from 65% to 70%,
• increasing the level of earnings disregard from £25 to £30 per week
• reducing the amount of support offered to low-income groups

Another new option in the consultation is to consider whether to decrease the non-dependant deduction from £2 to £1 a week. This would help claimants who have other adults living with them by over £50 a year.

Any changes will relate to working age residents only. Those of pension age will not be affected.