Council Tax Reduction and Universal Credit: Winners and losers of the postcode lottery (IPR Report)

Описание: A new Institute for Policy Research report explores how low-earning households in England are experiencing and responding to Council Tax Reduction (CTR) – a means tested discount on council tax for eligible, low-income, working-age people.

In 2025-26, there were 313 separate CTR schemes in operation across England, each with their own eligibility and entitlement rules. Virtually all working-age people who get CTR are now Universal Credit (UC) claimants, but not all UC claimants receive CTR. Claimants who work are much less likely to qualify for help.

Little is known about low-earning households’ experiences of CTR. To help fill this evidence gap, this study explored how the different elements of scheme design in England are affecting take-up, household finances and work-related decision making among UC claimants who work.

This online launch, chaired by Professor Nick Pearce, includes a presentation from the report authors, Dr Rita Griffiths and Dr Marsha Wood and audience Q&A.

This event took place on 16 June 2026. Read the report: https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/c...

Find out more about the Institute for Policy Research: https://www.bath.ac.uk/research-insti...