Council Tax Shake-Up At Durham County Council Could See 100% Council Tax Support Scheme Scrapped...

Anger as the only Local Council in the region reveals plans to scrap 100% Council Tax Support under its new Reform UK led council.

10th July 2025

Residents living in County Durham may soon feel the pinch as Durham County Council unveils plans to potentially scale back its Council Tax Reduction Scheme — a move that's likely to hit those on the lowest incomes the hardest.

Its claimed a review is currently underway that could see working-age households being told they have to contribute more towards their council tax bills, with the current scheme, first introduced in 2013 allowing eligible residents to receive up to 100% discount on their Council Tax Bill, however its claimed rising costs and budget pressures have now prompted the now Reform UK led council to consider tightening the rules.

Under the new proposals, four different contribution bands are to be set up — with working-age residents potentially having to pay between 10% and 25% of their council tax bill. One option put out will also include retaining a full discount for some eligible claimants, though this would likely apply only be in the most limited circumstances.

According to DCC's figures, towns such as Peterlee, Stanley, Bishop Auckland, and Ferryhill are set to be the ones most likely affected by the proposed changes, with these areas currently have the highest numbers of residents receiving council tax support.

Its claimed the cost of maintaining the existing scheme stands at over £60 million pounds a year, with approximately 32,600 working-age people benefiting. Council data also shows that around 62.6% of current claimants are women, with campaigners already voicing concerns that the potential loss of the vital support with only serve to drive even more households into poverty.

Rising costs blamed !

Darren Grimes Deputy Leader of Durham County Council acknowledged the controversial nature of the plans as he's set to see his town council ward hit the hardest from the proposals

Officials say that maintaining a fully-funded discount scheme has become increasingly difficult due to wider changes in the welfare system as well as the rising cost of essential local services. The council's therefore considering introducing a minimum payment requirement for all working-age claimants — meaning that every eligible resident would need to pay something towards their council tax, no matter what their financial situation.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Darren Grimes, acknowledged the controversial nature of the plans, particularly for communities already facing economic hardship. “These decisions are never easy,” he said. “But if we want to safeguard frontline services and address the growing crisis in social care, then we need everyone who can contribute to do so, even in a small way.”

Grimes, himself from Stanley, one of the towns said to be heavily effected by the controversial decision added that the council would be launching a wide-ranging consultation to gather public views before any final decision is made.

He concluded: “We’re not rushing this. We understand what’s at stake and we want to listen to what people have to say before any changes are confirmed.”

Many however are calling it 'a betrayal' by the now Reform UK led council, who seen most of its votes received from low income households who shunned Labour, where one local resident remarked, “Was always going to happen as soon as Reform UK got control of DCC. Wonder how long before there is a reduction in Council Tax for millionaires — you have to give money to the rich and tax the poor. That is the Reform UK mantra.” 

Another added, “Those worst off were already contributing something. The plan here is to make them pay more, therefore making them even worse off. The millionaires’ party has spoken.” However, not all responses have been critical, with one commenter noting, “It seems reasonable that almost everyone should contribute at least something.” Others suggested the entire council tax system needs reviewing, saying, “It would make more sense to overhaul the system — it’s outdated, and these benefit packages are what’s really burdening the council.”

The proposals, if agreed would bring DCC's Council Tax support system in line with that of nearby Hartlepool Borough Council, who operate a similar scheme, & again has some of the highest levels of poverty & unemployment leading many to claim that Reform's bid to overhaul the support system will only in turn lead to further financial misery being pilled on the most poorest households.

The proposals are expected to go before DCC's full council meeting in December