Green councillor Caroline Russell

THE Greens want permanent cuts to council tax bills for Islington’s poorest residents.

They are challenging the Town Hall to carry on support that has been in place for around 19,000 households during the Covid crisis through a hardship fund.

Neighbouring Camden Council introduced a Council Tax Support scheme in January 2020, which helps residents out of work or on low income by reducing payments or removing them altogether. The council there decided there was no point chasing residents for bills that they would never be able to pay.

Caroline Russell, Islington’s only Green councillor, said this week: “The council tax arrears are growing year on year, which is why the council should urgently develop a permanent scheme to support the financial health of people on the lowest incomes by bringing them permanently into full council tax support.”