Wirral’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme will be changing
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett:
Members of the council have taken the difficult the decision to change the council tax reduction scheme. This was not a decision taken lightly but was necessary because the council faces severe financial challenges. We are seeing costs of all of our daily services increasing including providing social care and dealing with homelessness while at the same time the funding coming into the council is falling. We need to protect the most vulnerable and we are asking those who can to contribute to ensure our communities continue to receive the help and support they need.
We are also working hard to ensure we can transform this council for the long term. The current financial position is not sustainable and while we will be talking to the Government about additional support we will also be putting in place the measures to transform this council root and branch to make sure we provide the services our communities need.
Wirral’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme is changing for the next year, 2026/27, with the changes coming into effect from April 1.
Members of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee voted to approve the changes at the meeting held in Wallasey town hall on January 14.
This is the first meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee in 2026. In addition to their usual business overseeing and scrutinising council service delivery the committee meetings over the coming weeks will also be focusing additional attention on the authority’s budget and how each part of Wirral Council can contribute the addressing the anticipated budget gap for 2026-27 financial year.
The changes approved by councillors mean that from April everyone eligible to pay council tax will be asked to pay at least 50% of the bill.
The Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme support will also be restricted to the band D level.
However, a number of additional changes will be made to minimise the impact this will have on the least well off.
This will include the Council Tax Discretionary Hardship Relief Scheme which will be increased to provide further support for those in need and will be increased from £100,000 to £200,000 from April 1, 2026.
In addition, there will be improved support for those who are terminally ill and carer leavers will continue to not have to pay Council Tax until they are 25 years old.
Empty property discounts will remain in place and the Council will continue to charge an additional 100% Council Tax (200% Council Tax) for any person with a second home within Wirral.
A report presented to Policy & Resources Committee in November 2025 identified a forecast budget gap of £32.4m for 2026/27. These changes are expected to save £4 million in the coming year as the council looks make a series of changes intended to ensure it can set a balanced budget for 2026-27.
