PLANS to lower the minimum council tax bills for low income residents from 22% to 12% have been revealed by Wirral Council.

The move aims to give greater help and support to low income households as currently, those on the lowest income must pay 22% of their council tax.

But under new proposals this figure could be cut to just 12%.

Band A and B properties could see their bills fall by around £100 for people living alone and £130 for families.

This comes as part of the Government's welfare reform programme which saw council tax benefit replaced with a local council tax reduction scheme in 2013.

Cllr Janette Williamson, Wirral Council’s cabinet member for Finance and Resources and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, said: “The Council Tax Reduction scheme will allow us to help those households most in need.

“Earlier this year, the council agreed measures to ensure all young people leaving care will be exempt from council tax, until they turn 25.

"This new proposal will continue to prioritise lower income households.

“The Council awards Council Tax Reduction to approximately 32,000 householders in Wirral and this will help almost a third of them.

"We are prioritising council resources to the areas that are most important and helping the most vulnerable in our community.

“This scheme is just one of the investments made to help our residents.

"This is possible because we are investing in innovative projects such as the Wirral Growth Company to bring in additional income to the authority and ensure we can continue to provide help and support.”

The changes will retain the existing protection for all other groups who receive council tax support and if plans are approved, the new scheme will come into effect from April 2020.