Tower Hamlets Council is set to increase the household income threshold for its Cost of Living Relief Fund and School Uniform Grant to £60,000, a significant rise from the current £50,350.
The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 29 July 2026, will extend support to more families facing financial hardship.
The Cost of Living Relief Fund, part of the council's manifesto commitments, aims to shield households from rising council tax bills. The increase in the income threshold means more families will be eligible for this support. For the Council Tax Cost of Living Relief Fund, eligibility also includes a £16,000 savings cap, and applicants must be named on the Council Tax bill and confirm they are not receiving Council Tax Reduction.
Similarly, the School Uniform Grant will be extended to cover more year groups, including Reception, Primary Year 3, Secondary Year 7, and Secondary Year 10. This aims to alleviate the financial burden of purchasing school uniforms for eligible families. The grant provides £50 for eligible children starting Reception and £150 for eligible children transferring to Year 7.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman highlighted the council's commitment to supporting residents despite ongoing financial pressures.
In the current financial year, the Council Tax Cost of Living Relief Fund is forecast to cost £38.1m, an increase of approximately £1.6m compared to the previous year. For the School Uniform Grant, the 2025/26 scheme supported 3,222 awards totalling £370,900. The forecast cost for 2026/27 is approximately £887,700, including £100,000 for administration, with a potential full take-up exposure of around £1,267,600. Further details on these schemes can be found in the Public reports pack.
