A COUNCIL tax reduction scheme is helping many low income families in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

Times columnist, Annabelle Ewing, Member of the Scottish Parliament representing Mid Scotland & Fife, has welcomed figures showing that the Scottish Government’s Council Tax Reduction scheme is helping to support over 34,000 low income households across Fife, protecting them from the full force of Westminster welfare cuts.

When the Westminster Government abolished Council Tax Benefit in 2013, the Scottish Government and local authorities stepped in to replace it with the Council Tax Reduction scheme. On average those benefiting from the scheme receive a reduction of £12.76 per week to their Council Tax bills.

Ms Ewing said, “The Council Tax Reduction scheme has been absolutely vital to hundreds of thousands of low income households in Scotland who would otherwise have faced higher bills when Westminster abolished Council Tax Benefit.

“More than 34,000 households across Fife have been given assistance which is helping to shield them from the full force of the welfare cuts imposed by Westminster.

“This is one of the clearest examples possible of the SNP Government’s determination to do everything possible to mitigate the worst effects of Westminster’s austerity regime and shows exactly why it is so important that Scotland gains responsibility for tax and welfare issues that go well beyond what has been offered so far.” She concluded, “While Westminster is determined to hammer the poorest in society, the SNP will continue to do what we can to make Scotland a fairer, more prosperous country.”