Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released the latest figures on Council Tax Reduction (CTR), revealing that the scheme supported 461,550 households across the country as of March 2024. This marks a 1.6% increase from the previous year’s figure of 454,350 households. Local authorities in Scotland forgone a total of £7.543 million weekly in income to support the scheme, reflecting a 2.4% increase from £7.364 million in March 2023.
The data highlights fluctuations in CTR recipients throughout the year, with a notable 1.4% increase observed in May 2023 compared to the previous month. The number of recipients remained relatively stable until December, with a slight dip noted in January before rising to the March 2024 figure.
Since its inception in April 2013, the number of CTR recipients has decreased by 16%, totaling 90,830 fewer recipients compared to the scheme’s launch.
The publication provides detailed insights into demographic trends among CTR recipients, including age, gender, family status, and deprivation levels. These statistics are crucial for the Scottish Government and other stakeholders in monitoring and planning for the financial support needed by households.
Monthly updates on CTR recipients and forgone income by local authorities are published regularly, supplementing this comprehensive annual overview. The data serves as a benchmark for assessing the effectiveness and reach of Scotland’s support mechanisms for managing council tax burdens.