TOWN Hall chiefs have scrapped council tax for care leavers to help them avoid getting into debt.

Research has shown that young people who have been in local authority care are especially at risk of falling into council tax debt as they manage money on their own for the first time, without support from family.

A Children’s Society campaign has called on councils to make care leavers exempt from paying council tax until they turn 21.

Islington Council’s executive committee has gone further and agreed to scrap council tax for young people leaving any local authority’s care and living in Islington until the age of 25.

This will take effect from April.

The relief is expected to cost the council in the region of £28,000 a year.

Finance chief Councillor Andy Hull said: “Young people leaving local authority care can face a huge range of challenges, and we want to support them as much as we can.

“Care leavers are among the most vulnerable groups in our community and we’re pleased to scrap council tax for them until the age of 25 to help them as they start out as young adults.”

Sam Royston, policy director at the Children’s Society, was “delighted” Islington had answered the charity’s call. He urged other councils to follow suit.