More support for low-income families to help them with their council tax bills is needed according to council's organisation the Local Government Association.

It says more and more families on low incomes face paying more council tax from April and without an extension to one-off government funding for local council tax support schemes, town halls will not be able to help them.

More than 2.5m working age people across England claimed a discount on their council tax between April and June this year – the highest number since records began in 2015.

Shaun Davies, Chairman of the LGA’s Resources Board, said:“Councils know how tough things are for many low-income working households who are already concerned about potential income losses and the cost of living.

“Record numbers are claiming a discount on their council tax due to the pandemic and one-off Government funding has been crucial to help councils provide vital support for those struggling to pay this year. No council wants to ask those on the lowest incomes to pay more. Faced with severe funding and demand pressures that continue to stretch local services to the limit, many councils will have little choice but to reduce discounts without an extension to this government grant beyond this year.

“The Spending Review needs to provide councils with the full amount of funding required to provide council tax support to those who need it over the next few years to avoid bills being forced up for those who can least afford to pay.”