**Campaign Launched for Universal Council Tax Reduction for Pensioners Amid Cost Concerns**
A growing petition is urging the UK Government to legislate a council tax discount for all residents who have surpassed State Pension age, reflecting mounting concern regarding the strain of soaring bills on older people’s finances. The call for action has already attracted over 3,400 signatures, highlighting the issue’s resonance amid persistent cost of living pressures.
The online petition, initiated by campaigner David Papworth, argues that the present council tax rules overlook the limited nature of many pensioners’ incomes. Mr Papworth asserts that many older people, after decades of work and financial planning, find themselves allocating disproportionately high portions of their pension to council tax, potentially jeopardising their standard of living during retirement.
He notes that current council tax assessments do not adequately reflect pension income, stating, “This means some pensioners are having to pay what I think is a very significant percentage of their pension towards council tax.” Arguing that retirees should be spared full liability, Mr Papworth assures that his petition is gaining momentum, and encourages others to lend their support on the official UK Parliament petitions website.
Under Parliamentary procedures, petitions that surpass 10,000 signatures receive an official government response, while those achieving 100,000 may be scheduled for debate in the House of Commons. Supporters of the movement hope the measure will attract the necessary attention to prompt changes benefiting millions of older people across the UK.
At present, council tax operates under a series of exemptions and discounts, but these only apply in strict circumstances. Those fully exempt from paying include young people under 18, students, live-in carers (not related to their charge), diplomats, and people with specific types of impairments or in designated apprentice schemes. Crucially, however, age or pension income alone currently does not automatically qualify someone for a reduction.
Where exemptions are not applicable, households may still qualify for a 25% reduction if only one eligible adult resides in the property or if other household members fall within the exclusion categories. However, this system relies on residents proactively applying for discounts or exemptions with their local authority – something which may be overlooked by vulnerable or less tech-savvy pensioners.
Council tax itself is calculated on the assumption that at least two adults are present in each household, with partners sharing legal responsibility for the payment. Bills can usually be settled online, while other options – such as cash payments at post offices and paying through various retail partners – remain available to suit different circumstances.
The launch of this petition has re-ignited debate about the fairness of council tax as a flat levy at a time when UK households face significant financial headwinds. Pensioner advocacy groups maintain that a universal discount could alleviate mounting anxiety among older people, many of whom rely on fixed or declining incomes.
While the Government has previously argued that the current set of discounts and benefits addresses the needs of those most vulnerable, supporters say more comprehensive action is needed. They claim a blanket reduction for those above State Pension age would provide a safety net for all who enter retirement, rather than leaving some to struggle or miss out due to complex eligibility rules.
The coming weeks will reveal whether momentum behind this petition will continue to grow, potentially putting pressure on Ministers to revisit how council tax impacts pensioners nationwide. Those interested in finding out if they qualify for existing reliefs are advised to contact their local council or consult the Government’s official guidance for the most up-to-date information.