Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government
Today, I have laid the draft Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 before the Senedd.
Subject to the approval of the Senedd, these Regulations will uprate the financial figures in the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2013 to ensure that the scheme in place for the 2023-24 financial year reflects increases in the cost-of-living. This helps to ensure that the scheme maintains entitlements for almost 270,000 low-income households across Wales who rely on this support.
In addition, an amendment is proposed to provide support to Ukrainian nationals as a consequence of the refugee crisis caused by the Russo-Ukrainian War. This will ensure they are eligible to apply for support.
A further amendment ensures no applicant living in Wales hosting a person from Ukraine under the Homes for Ukraine scheme is negatively impacted. The change makes provision that the host’s application is not affected by their offer to provide support to people from Ukraine.
Finally, we have removed the exception for European Economic Area (EEA) citizens who are now subject to immigration control.
I look forward to the debate on the Regulations early in the New Year.