Hillingdon Council has implemented changes to its Council Tax Reduction scheme that negatively impact vulnerable residents, including women and disabled individuals. The alterations, which came into effect in April 2026, mean that non-dependent deductions now apply to all working-age claimants, whereas previously these were waived for those in receipt of disability benefits. This change was acknowledged as having a negative impact on vulnerable residents in an equality impact assessment.
Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Finance, explained that the decision to proceed with these changes was a difficult one, necessitated by the government's deferral of Hillingdon's fair allocation of grants and business rates. whilst the government recognized that hilland merited extra funding as part of its fair funding review it has not been fully provided without additional funding and we will not receive it until the year 28 29
, Councillor Lavery stated, highlighting the negative financial impact the council is facing due to the delayed funding.
The council has no plans to alter the scheme for the upcoming year, with a review scheduled for 2028-29, after the council begins receiving its full share of the fair funding grant allocation. In the interim, the council will continue to offer additional support through hardship relief on a case-by-case basis. Councillor Lavery added that while the council has the power to further reduce support for low-income residents, it has no plans to change the scheme for the forthcoming year.
The Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment undertaken with the changes to the Council Tax Reduction scheme in April 2026 did recognise that the changes negatively impacted residents receiving such relief. While the assessment broadly noted a negative impact on vulnerable residents, this would encompass groups such as women and disabled individuals, as specifically mentioned.
The council meeting where these changes were discussed was held on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The relevant documents for this meeting can be found on the Hillingdon Council website, including the agenda frontsheet Agenda frontsheet 24th-Sep-2026 19.30 Council and the public reports pack Public reports pack 24th-Sep-2026 19.30 Council.