Manchester City Council Exempts Terminally Ill Residents From Council Tax

Manchester City Council is implementing a new policy to exempt residents diagnosed with terminal illnesses from paying council tax, aiming to ease financial burdens during difficult times. This policy, developed in collaboration with the end-of-life charity Marie Curie, will apply when a clinician confirms that a person has a progressive disease with an expected prognosis of 12 months or less. The exemption covers all household members and will continue until the death of the terminally ill individual, with the council covering any shortfall in council tax support. Additionally, a 'tell us once' protocol will be introduced to reduce administrative burdens on families after a claimant's death, allowing the discount to remain for the rest of the financial year. The initiative responds to findings that a significant portion of Manchester residents die in poverty, with the council committed to alleviating financial stress for vulnerable populations. This move is described as pioneering and is hoped to serve as a model for other councils.